Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has called for an end to the new wave of violence in the country, urging armed groups linked to the previous government to lay down their arms and those loyal to the new government to refrain from attacks on civilians and abuses of prisoners, Euronews reports.
“When we take the same steps, we are on the same level as our opponent. The remnants of the fallen regime are looking for an excuse to hide behind our violations,” he said.
Clashes between Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and Assad’s supporters have become the most serious manifestation of violence. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, more than 200 people have been killed since the start of the fighting, 120 of whom are Assad’s supporters and 93 of whom are members of the new government.
According to the source, militants loyal to the new government attacked villages, killing dozens of people, in some cases only men, and in others everyone, including children. Western agencies estimate the number of those killed at 340, emphasizing that it is impossible to verify the information from their sources. The Syrian authorities do not publish data on the number of victims.
Earlier today, it became known that two Armenians were killed as a result of clashes in the Syrian city of Latakia. On March 6, clashes broke out in the provinces of Latakia, Tartus, and Homs between the security forces of the new government and armed groups supporting former President Assad. On March 7, the new authorities took control of the city of Latakia, expelling Assad’s armed supporters. Tensions have not subsided.
The clashes are occurring in Syria’s Latakia, Homs, and Tartus provinces. Additional army units and the Ministry of Internal Affairs have arrived in Tartus and Latakia, and the army has used combat helicopters. Local authorities have imposed a curfew amid the escalation. The country’s Ministry of Defense has announced the closure of roads leading to the Syrian coast.
