Syria’s New Authorities Launch Operation in Stronghold of Ousted President Bashar al-Assad
Operation in Tartus Province
Syria’s new authorities launched an operation in a stronghold of ousted president Bashar al-Assad on Thursday, with a war monitor saying three gunmen affiliated with the former government were killed. The operation was launched in the western province of Tartus, where security forces neutralized a certain number of armed men.
Assad’s Ousting
Assad fled Syria after an Islamist-led offensive wrested from his control city after city until Damascus fell on December 8, ending his clan’s five-decade rule. The operation comes a day after 14 security personnel of the new authorities and three gunmen were killed in clashes in the same province when forces tried to arrest an Assad-era officer.
Justice for Victims
With 500,000 dead in the war and more than 100,000 missing, the new authorities have also pledged justice for the victims of abuses under the deposed ruler. The Saydnaya complex, the site of extrajudicial executions, torture, and forced disappearances, epitomized the atrocities committed against Assad’s opponents.
Fears of Sectarian Tensions
But some members of the Alawite community fear that with Assad gone, they may be at risk of attacks from groups hungry for revenge or driven by sectarian hate. On Wednesday, angry protests erupted in several areas around Syria, including Assad’s hometown of Qardaha, over a video showing an attack on an Alawite shrine that circulated online.
HTS’s Commitment to Protection
Rooted in Syria’s branch of Al-Qaeda, a Sunni Muslim jihadist group, HTS has moderated its rhetoric and vowed to ensure protection for minorities, including the Alawite community from which Assad hails. The transitional authorities appointed by HTS said in a statement that the shrine attack took place early this month, with the interior ministry saying it was carried out by "unknown groups" and that republishing the video served to "stir up strife."
Challenges Ahead
Syria’s new rulers face the monumental task of safeguarding the multi-sectarian, multi-ethnic country from further collapse. The new authorities have to balance dealing with sectarian tensions while promising that those responsible for abuses under Assad would be held accountable. "But they’re obviously also contending with what seems like a real desire on the part of some of their constituents for what they would say is accountability, maybe also revenge, it depends on how you want to characterise it," said Sam Heller of the Century Foundation think tank.
International Reactions
Since HTS and its allies swept to power earlier this month, a bevy of delegations from the Middle East, Europe, and the United States have visited Damascus seeking to establish ties with the country’s new rulers. A delegation from Iraq met with the new authorities Thursday to discuss "security and stability needs on the two countries’ shared border," Iraqi state media said, while Lebanon, which has a fraught history with Syria, said it hoped for better ties with its neighbour going forward.
Conclusion
The operation in Tartus province marks a significant step forward in the new authorities’ efforts to consolidate their power and ensure justice for the victims of the war. However, the challenges ahead are numerous, and the new rulers must navigate the complex web of sectarian tensions and political rivalries to ensure a stable and peaceful future for Syria.
FAQs
Q: What is the current situation in Syria?
A: Syria’s new authorities have launched an operation in a stronghold of ousted president Bashar al-Assad, with a war monitor saying three gunmen affiliated with the former government were killed.
Q: What is the status of the war in Syria?
A: The war in Syria has resulted in 500,000 dead and more than 100,000 missing, with the new authorities pledging justice for the victims of abuses under the deposed ruler.
Q: What is the current situation for minorities in Syria?
A: Some members of the Alawite community fear that with Assad gone, they may be at risk of attacks from groups hungry for revenge or driven by sectarian hate.
Q: What is the stance of international organizations on the situation in Syria?
A: World powers and international organizations have called for the urgent establishment of mechanisms for accountability, while a bevy of delegations from the Middle East, Europe, and the United States have visited Damascus seeking to establish ties with the country’s new rulers.