Curfew Extended in Tartous, Syria, After Deadly Night of Clashes
Syrian authorities have extended the curfew in the coastal city of Tartous until 12 PM local time on Friday, citing “security reasons.” The decision follows a night of deadly violence that rocked the region.
On Thursday, a curfew was initially imposed across cities in the Tartous and Latakia provinces along the
Syrian coast. This came after fierce clashes erupted between fighters loyal to ousted President Bashar al-Assad and Syrian security forces. The authorities stated that widespread combing operations have since begun in city centers, villages, towns, and the surrounding mountains to restore order.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported early Friday that at least 70 people were killed in
Latakia during the bloody confrontations. In a post on X, the Observatory detailed that “more than 70
were killed, with dozens injured or captured, in violent clashes and ambushes along the Syrian coast
between elements of the Ministries of Defense and Interior and armed fighters from the fallen regime’s army.”
Escalating Tensions on the Syrian Coast
The Syrian coast has witnessed significant unrest since the new authorities deployed large numbers of security forces to the area. Residents reported hearing heavy gunfire in multiple cities and villages throughout Thursday night. The coastal region, a strategic stronghold, poses a major security challenge for Syria’s new president, Ahmad Sharaa, as he works to consolidate control following Assad’s ousting three months ago.
Sharaa’s efforts to reunify Syria after 13 years of devastating war face numerous obstacles. Among the most pressing are remnants of the former Assad regime and Israel’s expanding presence in the buffer zone between the two countries. The violence in Tartous and Latakia underscores the fragility of the transitional period and the difficulty of stabilizing the Syrian coast.
Why the Syrian Coast Curfew Matters
The extension of the Syrian coast curfew highlights the ongoing instability in a region once considered a
bastion of Assad’s power. As security operations intensify, the death toll continues to rise, raising
concerns about the broader implications for Syria’s future. With the international community watching
closely, the situation remains fluid, and further developments are expected as Sharaa’s administration
grapples with these challenges.
