3 hours ago
8
March 10, 2025 | 07:29 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A Syrian military operation against loyalists of ousted President Bashar al-Assad has been completed, the defence ministry said on Monday, after the heaviest fighting since former rebels seized power three months ago.
Clashes between Assad loyalists and the country's new Islamist rulers in the former president's coastal heartland have killed more than 1,000 people, mostly civilians, according to a war monitoring group.
The violence has increased concerns about the direction of Syria, where the former rebels under Ahmed al-Sharaa and his Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group are attempting to unify a divided country while navigating the involvement of powerful neighbours.
Since Assad's overthrow, Turkish-backed groups have clashed with Kurdish forces that control much of northeastern Syria. Israel has separately struck military sites in Syria, and is lobbying the United States to keep Syria weak, sources have told Reuters.
Hassan Abdul Ghany, the defence ministry spokesperson, said in a statement on X that public institutions were now able to resume their work and provide services.
"We are paving the way for life to return to normal and for the consolidation of security and stability," Abdul Ghany said.
He added that plans were in place to continue combating the remnants of the former government and eliminate any future threats.
Sharaa vowed on Sunday to hunt down the perpetrators of the violent clashes and said he would hold to account anyone who overstepped the new rulers' authority.
Al-Sharaa's office also said it was forming an independent committee to investigate the clashes and killings carried out by both sides.
Abdul Ghany added that the security forces would cooperate with the investigation committee, offering full access to uncover the circumstances of the events, verify the facts and ensure justice for the wronged.
"We were able to absorb the attacks from the remnants of the former regime and its officers. We shattered their element of surprise and managed to push them away from vital centres, securing most of the main roads," he said.
Though relative calm followed Assad's ousting in December, violence has escalated in recent days as forces linked to the new Islamist rulers began cracking down on an insurgency from within Assad's minority Alawite sect.
The fighting spiralled into revenge killings against Alawites, a community that many majority Sunnis believed was favoured under Assad and that had included many senior bureaucrats and military officers.
The British-based Syrian Observatory reported that more than 1,000 people were killed during two days of fighting, including 745 civilians, 125 members of the Syrian security forces and 148 fighters loyal to Assad.
Assad fled to Russia last year after rebels led by Sharaa's Sunni Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group toppled his government, ending decades of severe repression and a devastating civil war.
REUTERS | Jana Choukeir
Editor’s Choice: Over 1,000 Killed, What's Happening in Syria?
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Over 1,000 Killed, What's Happening in Syria?
9 jam lalu
Syria's new ruler has killed more than 1,000 people, including women and children from the Alawite minority.
Syria Receives Local Currency Printed in Russia before Assad's Fall
22 hari lalu
Syria's central bank said a batch of Syrian currency had arrived at Damascus airport from Russia.
Syrian Leader Sharaa Pledges to Form Inclusive Government
38 hari lalu
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa will form an inclusive transitional government to represent diverse communities.
Syria's Sharaa Declared President for Transition, Consolidating His Power
39 hari lalu
Syria's de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa was declared president for a transitional phase on Wednesday, tightening his grip on power.
Indonesia U-20 National Team vs Syria at Mandiri U-20 Challenge Series 2025, Final Score 0-2
41 hari lalu
The duel between the Indonesian U-20 national team and Syria ended with a score of 0-2 for Syria's advantage.
France Issues New Arrest Warrant for Syria's Bashar al-Assad
46 hari lalu
This is the second arrest warrant issued by French judges, for Bashar al-Assad.
Bashar al-Assad Regime Executes Dozens of Hamas Members Without Trial
7 Januari 2025
Dozens of Hamas leaders and members were killed by the regime of ousted Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad.
Ukraine Sends Food Aid to Syria, Says Zelenskiy
27 Desember 2024
Ukraine, a global producer and exporter of grain and oilseeds, has sent its first batch of food aid to Syria.
The Impact of the Downfall of Bashar Al Assad's Regime in Syria for Indonesia According to CIIA
25 Desember 2024
The fall of President Bashar Al Assad's government in Syria is said to have an impact on countries in the world, one of which is Indonesia.
Syrian Christians Celebrate First Christmas Since Bashar al Assad's Overthrow
25 Desember 2024
Christians in the Syrian capital, Damascus, celebrated their first Christmas Eve Mass since President Bashar al-Assad was ousted.
