1,000 reported killed as clashes rage on in Syria’s coastal regions

Intense fighting between Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) forces and armed groups opposing the interim rulers continues in parts of northwestern Syria.

A war monitor reported on Saturday that the death toll from two days of clashes and revenge killings in that region had risen to more than 1,000, marking one of the deadliest episodes since the conflict erupted in Syria some 14 years ago.

The clashes began on Thursday, three months after militants led by the HTS toppled the government of President Bashar al-Assad in a surprise offensive. The fighting between HTS forces and armed elements loyal to the former government also provoked a wave of revenge killings on Friday, with armed militants targeting the Alawite minority in Hama and Latakia provinces.

The Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) quoted a source in the ministry of defense of the HTS regime on Sunday as saying that heavy clashes were ongoing in the outskirts of Tartus, a major port city on the Mediterranean coast.

Al Jazeera also reported heavy clashes between forces loyal to Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, the HTS leader, and armed groups at the entrances to the city of Latakia.

The HTS, however, stated that an “emergency committee” is monitoring violations and will “refer those who exceeded command instructions to the military court.”

It also reported imposing a curfew and sending reinforcements to control security and restore calm. Meanwhile, al-Jolani, in a statement, urged fighters to “lay down their weapons and surrender,” saying that anyone who attacks civilians will be held accountable.

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