Syria’s defense ministry announced on Monday the completion of a large-scale military operation in the country’s western coastal region, following days of intense violence that have left hundreds dead and raised fears of renewed sectarian conflict. The operation, which targeted loyalists of former president Bashar al-Assad, was described by officials as a necessary step to restore stability in the provinces of Latakia and Tartous.
According to a ministry spokesman, security forces successfully “neutralized” armed groups loyal to Assad in several towns, paving the way for life to return to normal. However, the operation has come at a devastating human cost. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a monitoring group, reported that more than 1,500 people have been killed since Thursday, including 1,068 civilians. The staggering death toll has drawn condemnation from international observers and sparked outrage among local communities.
The violence erupted after a deadly ambush on a security patrol, which was blamed on Assad loyalists. In retaliation, gunmen affiliated with the Sunni Islamist-led interim government are accused of carrying out revenge attacks against members of Assad’s minority Alawite sect. The religious and ethnic clashes in Syria are threatening the peace that the country has had since the civil war ended. The violence basically tells us that the already instable situation in some areas might worsen. As an alternative to getting the proposal of a constitutional committee to the U.N. Security Council, we came up with our proposal for a national Sawab center in Syria. Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa has promised to treat the crisis, revealing the establishment of an independent team of investigators to inspect the killings.
In a televised address, Sharaa insisted that those responsible for the violence would be held accountable, regardless of their affiliations. “The blood of Syrians is not cheap, and we will not allow anyone to exploit this tragedy for political or sectarian gains,” he said.
The recent violence marks the worst to hit Syria since Sharaa led a swift rebel offensive that ended with the overthrow of Assad in December, after 13 years of brutal civil war. The conflict, which started in 2011, killed more than 600,000 people and displaced more than 12 million, leaving the country in ruins. The collapse of Assad’s regime was heralded by some as a tipping point, but the challenges of stitching back together a torn nation have turned out to be enormous.
The coastal region populated by a large Alawite community long has been a bastion of Assad loyalists. The military operation has exacerbated divisions there using armed groups as a pretext to hit civilians, many residents accuse the interim government. Among them, local activists have been calling for an immediate cease fire and the dispatch of international observers to prevent further bloodshed.
The growing violence has raised concerns in the global community, prompting calls from the United Nations for all sides to exercise restraint and pursue dialogue instead of confrontation. “The people of Syria have endured enough suffering,” a United Nations spokesman said. “It is absolutely necessary that all sides unite to avoid a return to the dark days of civil war.”
Syria has to recover from the lasting effects of military operation, and now the blame shifts to the interim government in charge of restoring law and bringing justice. The investigative committee is seen as vital in its formation as it tries to ease matters in the immediate aftermath. But, of course, many people still doubt its independent effectiveness. For a Syre, he must be mindful of the harsh truth that this was plight this time round; it should serve as a wake-up call for the leaders.
The coastal region, however, is tense as families continue to mourn their kin and communities brace for possible clashes ahead. The road to peace in Syria remains very long and challenging; yet for many of these people, the alternative—returning to the wide-scale conflict—simply cannot be on the cards.
