The violence erupted in Syria's coastal cities of Latakia and Tartous, where security forces clashed with fighters loyal to ousted President Bashar al-Assad

Foreign ministers of Türkiye, Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon, and Syria met in Amman amid heightened violence in Syria’s coastal provinces - Anadolu Ajansı

Security forces were seen on the streets of Latakia on Saturday, March 8, amid reports that hundreds of members of the Alawite minortiy were killed. The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said 745 Alawites were killed in “30 massacres” as part of “an ethnic cleansing operation” on Friday and Saturday.

At least 1,300 have been killed in Syria as security forces clash with loyalists of ousted president Bashar al-Assad. The violence is concentrated in Tartus and Latakia, home to Alawites. The Assads belong to this sect,

Syrian presidency establishes commission to probe violent events that unfolded after coordinated attacks by Assad regime remnants - Anadolu Ajansı

The clashes raise concerns about Syria’s stability and interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa’s ability to reunify the country after 13 years of civil war.

Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa has launched an investigation into the deadly clashes in Latakia and Tartous, vowing to hold those responsible for civilian bloodshed accountable. The independent committee will submit its findings within 30 days as the government seeks to prevent further unrest.

An ambush on a Syrian security patrol by gunmen loyal to ousted leader Bashar Assad escalated into clashes that a war monitor estimates have killed more than 1,000 people over four days.

The resumption of hostilities in Syria could change everything, and the Russian military could suddenly find itself in a precarious and vulnerable position.

International alarm is growing over fighting in western Syria, where hundreds of civilians have been reportedly killed amid intense clashes.