April 25, 2025 11:14 pm
Full News

Syria’s New Authorities Face Violent Challenge as Assad Loyalists Kill 14

Syria’s new rebel-led government reports that loyalists of ousted President Bashar al-Assad killed 14 interior ministry troops in an “ambush” near the Mediterranean port city of Tartous. This region is a stronghold for Assad’s minority Alawite Muslim sect. Additionally, 10 other troops were reportedly injured during the Tuesday clashes.
This confrontation marks the first direct challenge to the authority of Syria’s new de facto leader, Ahmad al-Sharaa. Assad’s presidency was overthrown by rebel forces led by al-Sharaa’s Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) faction just over two weeks ago.
In response to the clashes, security forces launched an operation in Tartous province on Thursday to “restore security, stability, and civil peace,” according to state news agency Sana. The agency claimed that security forces had “neutralised… a number of remnants of Assad’s militias” and were actively pursuing others in the Tartous countryside. Reports indicate that the ambush occurred as forces attempted to arrest a former officer linked to abuses at the notorious Saydnaya prison near Damascus.
The UK-based monitoring group, Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), reported that three unidentified “armed men” were also killed in the clashes. The group added that reinforcements were later brought in by the security forces.
In a related development, the Syrian authorities imposed an overnight curfew in Homs, following unrest triggered by a video allegedly showing an attack on an Alawite shrine. State media stated that the footage was old and dated back to a rebel offensive on Aleppo in late November. The interior ministry blamed unknown groups for the violence, but the SOHR reported one demonstrator dead and five others wounded in the Homs unrest.
The newly established government faces the immense task of providing safety and stability across Syria while addressing grievances from various communities. Many Syrians are demanding justice for atrocities committed during Assad’s regime, including the torture and deaths of tens of thousands in Syrian prisons. Families of the victims continue to call for accountability.
Demonstrations have been reported in Alawite-majority areas, including Tartous, Latakia, and Assad’s hometown of Qardaha. The Alawite community, closely associated with the former regime, fears retaliation for its role in Assad’s rule. Calls from Alawite religious leaders for a general amnesty have been met with skepticism, as many members of the community are implicated in alleged war crimes.
Resistance from former officers refusing to surrender weapons and reports of communities preparing to fight back underline the fragile state of stability in the region. The situation in Tartous exemplifies the challenge, where local tensions erupted into violence. Al-Sharaa’s efforts to bolster security in Alawite towns aim to maintain order, but any aggressive campaign to arrest Assad loyalists risks further destabilizing the country.
The HTS-led rebellion, which began in Syria’s northeast and swiftly spread across the country, ended over 50 years of Assad family rule. Bashar al-Assad and his family have since fled to Russia. HTS has pledged to protect the rights of Syria’s diverse religious and ethnic minorities, but skepticism remains due to the group’s designation as a terrorist organization by the UN, US, EU, UK, and others.
On Tuesday, protests erupted over the burning of a Christmas tree, sparking renewed calls for the new government to safeguard minority rights and freedoms. The situation underscores the delicate balance the new authorities must maintain to ensure stability in a deeply divided country.

Related News
Bangladesh Leader Sheikh Hasina’s Passport Among 97 Cancelled; List Includes 5 Former DGs of DGFI
Dr. Yunus very smart to retain his job?
US Warns of Threat from Pakistan’s Advanced Missile Development, Imposes Sanctions
India, US Diplomats Trying to Arrange Trump-Modi Meeting
Legendary Tabla Virtuoso Zakir Hussain Passes Away at 73
Emma Raducanu leads Great Britain to a Billie Jean King Cup quarterfinal
Related Posts
Pakistan Supported Terrorism for the West, Admits Defence Minister
Trump to Propose $100 Billion Arms Deal with Saudi Arabia
UN Chief Urges India and Pakistan to Exercise Restraint
U.S. Secretary of State: Iran Must Abandon Nuclear Program Completely
Jordan Bans Muslim Brotherhood Over Security Concerns
Exchange of Gunfire Between Indian and Pakistani Troops at Kashmir Border
More News

Putin Declares Ceasefire in Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared a ceasefire in Ukraine in observance of the Christian holiday, Easter Sunday. According to the Kremlin, the ceasefire will begin on Saturday, April 19, and will last until midnight on Monday, April 21. During this period, Russian forces will suspend all forms of military attacks in Ukraine. The Kremlin […]

Understanding Health Span: Living Better, Not Just Longer

While life expectancy often captures headlines, health experts are increasingly focusing on “health span” — the period of life spent in good health, free from chronic diseases or significant disabilities that impair quality of life. This shift in focus comes in response to concerning trends in the United States and beyond, where despite high healthcare […]

Zelensky Seeks Trump’s Help to End War with Russia

KYIV – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed hope that US President-elect Donald Trump could play a decisive role in ending the 34-month-old war with Russia. In an interview with Ukrainian television on January 2, Zelensky revealed that Trump had promised to invite him to Washington soon after the presidential inauguration. Facing Russian advances in eastern […]

Elon Musk Adopts ‘Kekius Maximus’ Moniker, Sparks Speculation

WASHINGTON – On December 31, billionaire Elon Musk adopted the moniker “Kekius Maximus” on his social media platform X, igniting speculation among his 210 million followers. The new handle is a blend of an alt-right symbol, a memecoin, and the lead character from the movie Gladiator. Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX and a […]

Barca Will Not Get Olmo In The Benfica Match In The Champions League

Dani Olmo’s injury came as a shock to the Barcelona camp before the important match. The Catalan club will not have the Spanish winger against Benfica in the Champions League. Barcelona announced on Sunday that Olmo has been ruled out of the Benfica match. Olmo is suffering from a muscle injury. He came on as […]

Nawaf Salam named Lebanon’s prime minister, Hezbollah angry

Hezbollah accuses opposition parties of trying to exclude them from the political decision-making process. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has summoned International Court of Justice chief Nawaf Salam to nominate him as the country’s prime minister. On Monday, 84 of the 128 lawmakers in Lebanon’s parliament backed Salam as prime minister. Reuters writes that this is […]

Russell Crowe Replaces Mads Mikkelsen in Billion Dollar Spy

Oscar-winner Russell Crowe has taken over the lead role in the upcoming true-life spy thriller Billion Dollar Spy, replacing Mads Mikkelsen. The Cold War-era film, based on the book by David E. Hoffman, tells the story of Adolf Tolkachev, a Soviet man who risked his life to pass secret intelligence to the US. Crowe will […]

Russia and Iran Forge New Agreement to Shape Bilateral Ties for Two Decades.

By Guest Reporter Zahidul I. A strategic partnership agreement between Russia and Iran is set to establish a robust foundation for bilateral relations over the next 20 years, according to Iranian Ambassador to Moscow, Kazem Jalali. “This treaty will create a legal framework and strategic direction for relations between Iran and Russia, paving the way […]

Former NATO Secretary General Becomes Norway’s Finance Minister

Former NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg is set to become Norway’s new finance minister. As part of a cabinet reshuffle, he is scheduled to take the oath of office on Tuesday. This information was reported by the British news agency Reuters, citing Norwegian local newspaper and broadcaster NRK. A senior politician from Norway’s Labour Party, […]

Trump and Putin to Discuss Ukraine Ceasefire on March 18 Amid Rising Tensions

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced plans to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin on March 18 to explore a potential ceasefire in Ukraine. This follows positive discussions between U.S. and Russian officials in Moscow, raising hopes for progress in the three-year conflict. Trump aims to secure Putin’s support for a 30-day ceasefire proposal, already […]