Latest news with #Suhailal-Hassan
Iraqi News
07-03-2025
- Politics
- Iraqi News
Syria new authorities expand fight against Assad loyalists
Damascus – Syria's new authorities launched a sweeping security operation Friday after clashes with fighters loyal to former president Bashar al-Assad, the biggest challenge to their rule so far, left at least 71 people dead. The violence saw the fiercest attacks on the country's authorities since Assad was ousted in December in a lightning offensive by Islamist-led rebels. Restoring security has been one of the most complex tasks for the new authorities since Assad's fall, which ended over 13 years of civil war triggered by his crackdown on pro-democracy protests. A curfew was imposed in the coastal province of Latakia, the Assad clan's former stronghold and home to a sizeable Alawite community, the same religious minority as the former president. Security forces began what official news agency SANA described as a 'large-scale' operation in cities, towns and the mountains of Latakia and neighbouring Tartus, following the arrival of reinforcements. The operation 'targeted remnants of Assad's militias and those who supported them', a security official cited by SANA said, as he called on civilians to 'stay in their homes'. The defence ministry said it had sent reinforcements to the cities of Latakia and Tartus. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights' latest toll, the clashes killed 71 people over the past day, among them 35 members of the security forces, 32 gunmen and four civilians. The Observatory, a Britain-based monitor, also reported dozens of people wounded and others taken prisoner by both sides. The authorities also imposed curfews in Homs and Tartus. Mustafa Kneifati, a security official in Latakia, said that in 'a well-planned and premeditated attack, several groups of Assad militia remnants attacked our positions and checkpoints, targeting many of our patrols in the Jableh area.' Kneifati said security forces would 'work to eliminate their presence'. 'We will restore stability to the region and protect the property of our people,' he said. SANA said meanwhile that security forces had detained Ibrahim Huweija, a general who was 'accused of hundreds of assassinations' under the rule of Assad's father and predecessor, Hafez al-Assad. – 'Everyone's afraid' – Ali, a farmer living in Jableh, told AFP he saw 'urban battles and street fighting'. 'All night, we heard the sounds of gunfire and explosions,' he added. 'Everyone's afraid… we are trapped at home and we can't go out.' Thursday's clashes saw security forces conduct helicopter strikes after they clashed with gunmen loyal to Assad-era special forces commander Suhail al-Hassan in the village of Beit Ana, also in Latakia. Tensions had erupted after residents of Beit Ana, the birthplace of Suhail al-Hassan, prevented security forces from arresting a person wanted for trading arms, the Observatory said. Security forces subsequently launched a campaign in the area, resulting in clashes with gunmen, it added. The killing of at least four civilians during a security operation in Latakia also sparked tensions, the monitor said on Wednesday. Security forces launched the campaign in the Daatour neighbourhood of the city on Tuesday after an ambush by 'members of the remnants of Assad militias' killed two security personnel, state media reported. Islamist rebels led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham launched an offensive that toppled Assad on December 8, when he fled the country to Russia with his family. Multiple high-ranking Assad loyalists have also fled since the former president's ouster, but many others remain in the country. Syria's new security forces have since carried out extensive campaigns seeking to root out Assad loyalists from his former bastions. Residents and organisations have reported violations during those campaigns, including the seizing of homes, field executions and kidnappings. Syria's new authorities have described the violations as 'isolated incidents' and vowed to pursue those responsible. Ahmed al-Sharaa, whose Islamist rebel group led the offensive that ousted Assad, has since become interim president and engaged in high-level contacts with governments around the world. Saudi Arabia, which Sharaa has visited in February, reaffirmed its support Friday for the new authorities, branding as 'crimes' by 'outlaw groups' the attacks on security forces.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Syria new authorities expand fight against Assad loyalists
Syria's new authorities launched a sweeping security operation Friday after clashes with fighters loyal to former president Bashar al-Assad, the biggest challenge to their rule so far, left at least 71 people dead. The violence saw the fiercest attacks on the country's authorities since Assad was ousted in December in a lightning offensive by Islamist-led rebels. Restoring security has been one of the most complex tasks for the new authorities since Assad's fall, which ended over 13 years of civil war triggered by his crackdown on pro-democracy protests. A curfew was imposed in the coastal province of Latakia, the Assad clan's former stronghold and home to a sizeable Alawite community, the same religious minority as the former president. Security forces began what official news agency SANA described as a "large-scale" operation in cities, towns and the mountains of Latakia and neighbouring Tartus, following the arrival of reinforcements. The operation "targeted remnants of Assad's militias and those who supported them", a security official cited by SANA said, as he called on civilians to "stay in their homes". The defence ministry said it had sent reinforcements to the cities of Latakia and Tartus. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights' latest toll, the clashes killed 71 people over the past day, among them 35 members of the security forces, 32 gunmen and four civilians. The Observatory, a Britain-based monitor, also reported dozens of people wounded and others taken prisoner by both sides. The authorities also imposed curfews in Homs and Tartus. Mustafa Kneifati, a security official in Latakia, said that in "a well-planned and premeditated attack, several groups of Assad militia remnants attacked our positions and checkpoints, targeting many of our patrols in the Jableh area." Kneifati said security forces would "work to eliminate their presence". "We will restore stability to the region and protect the property of our people," he said. SANA said meanwhile that security forces had detained Ibrahim Huweija, a general who was "accused of hundreds of assassinations" under the rule of Assad's father and predecessor, Hafez al-Assad. - 'Everyone's afraid' - Ali, a farmer living in Jableh, told AFP he saw "urban battles and street fighting". "All night, we heard the sounds of gunfire and explosions," he added. "Everyone's afraid... we are trapped at home and we can't go out." Thursday's clashes saw security forces conduct helicopter strikes after they clashed with gunmen loyal to Assad-era special forces commander Suhail al-Hassan in the village of Beit Ana, also in Latakia. Tensions had erupted after residents of Beit Ana, the birthplace of Suhail al-Hassan, prevented security forces from arresting a person wanted for trading arms, the Observatory said. Security forces subsequently launched a campaign in the area, resulting in clashes with gunmen, it added. The killing of at least four civilians during a security operation in Latakia also sparked tensions, the monitor said on Wednesday. Security forces launched the campaign in the Daatour neighbourhood of the city on Tuesday after an ambush by "members of the remnants of Assad militias" killed two security personnel, state media reported. Islamist rebels led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham launched an offensive that toppled Assad on December 8, when he fled the country to Russia with his family. Multiple high-ranking Assad loyalists have also fled since the former president's ouster, but many others remain in the country. Syria's new security forces have since carried out extensive campaigns seeking to root out Assad loyalists from his former bastions. Residents and organisations have reported violations during those campaigns, including the seizing of homes, field executions and kidnappings. Syria's new authorities have described the violations as "isolated incidents" and vowed to pursue those responsible. Ahmed al-Sharaa, whose Islamist rebel group led the offensive that ousted Assad, has since become interim president and engaged in high-level contacts with governments around the world. Saudi Arabia, which Sharaa has visited in February, reaffirmed its support Friday for the new authorities, branding as "crimes" by "outlaw groups" the attacks on security forces. lar/jsa/ser
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Syria new authorities expand fight against Assad loyalists
Syria's new authorities launched a sweeping security operation Friday after clashes with fighters loyal to former president Bashar al-Assad, the biggest challenge to their rule so far, left at least 71 people dead. The violence saw the fiercest attacks on the country's authorities since Assad was ousted in December in a lightning offensive by Islamist-led rebels. Restoring security has been one of the most complex tasks for the new authorities since Assad's fall, which ended over 13 years of civil war triggered by his crackdown on pro-democracy protests. A curfew was imposed in the coastal province of Latakia, the Assad clan's former stronghold and home to a sizeable Alawite community, the same religious minority as the former president. Security forces began what official news agency SANA described as a "large-scale" operation in cities, towns and the mountains of Latakia and neighbouring Tartus, following the arrival of reinforcements. The operation "targeted remnants of Assad's militias and those who supported them", a security official cited by SANA said, as he called on civilians to "stay in their homes". The defence ministry said it had sent reinforcements to the cities of Latakia and Tartus. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights' latest toll, the clashes killed 71 people over the past day, among them 35 members of the security forces, 32 gunmen and four civilians. The Observatory, a Britain-based monitor, also reported dozens of people wounded and others taken prisoner by both sides. The authorities also imposed curfews in Homs and Tartus. Mustafa Kneifati, a security official in Latakia, said that in "a well-planned and premeditated attack, several groups of Assad militia remnants attacked our positions and checkpoints, targeting many of our patrols in the Jableh area." Kneifati said security forces would "work to eliminate their presence". "We will restore stability to the region and protect the property of our people," he said. SANA said meanwhile that security forces had detained Ibrahim Huweija, a general who was "accused of hundreds of assassinations" under the rule of Assad's father and predecessor, Hafez al-Assad. - 'Everyone's afraid' - Ali, a farmer living in Jableh, told AFP he saw "urban battles and street fighting". "All night, we heard the sounds of gunfire and explosions," he added. "Everyone's afraid... we are trapped at home and we can't go out." Thursday's clashes saw security forces conduct helicopter strikes after they clashed with gunmen loyal to Assad-era special forces commander Suhail al-Hassan in the village of Beit Ana, also in Latakia. Tensions had erupted after residents of Beit Ana, the birthplace of Suhail al-Hassan, prevented security forces from arresting a person wanted for trading arms, the Observatory said. Security forces subsequently launched a campaign in the area, resulting in clashes with gunmen, it added. The killing of at least four civilians during a security operation in Latakia also sparked tensions, the monitor said on Wednesday. Security forces launched the campaign in the Daatour neighbourhood of the city on Tuesday after an ambush by "members of the remnants of Assad militias" killed two security personnel, state media reported. Islamist rebels led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham launched an offensive that toppled Assad on December 8, when he fled the country to Russia with his family. Multiple high-ranking Assad loyalists have also fled since the former president's ouster, but many others remain in the country. Syria's new security forces have since carried out extensive campaigns seeking to root out Assad loyalists from his former bastions. Residents and organisations have reported violations during those campaigns, including the seizing of homes, field executions and kidnappings. Syria's new authorities have described the violations as "isolated incidents" and vowed to pursue those responsible. Ahmed al-Sharaa, whose Islamist rebel group led the offensive that ousted Assad, has since become interim president and engaged in high-level contacts with governments around the world. Saudi Arabia, which Sharaa has visited in February, reaffirmed its support Friday for the new authorities, branding as "crimes" by "outlaw groups" the attacks on security forces. lar/jsa/ser
Al-Ahram Weekly
06-03-2025
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
16 killed in 'most violent' Syria unrest since Assad ouster: Monitor - Region
Gunmen loyal to Syria's Bashar al-Assad killed 16 security personnel on Thursday, a war monitor said, in attacks it described as the "most violent" since the longtime president's ouster. The fighting took place in the Mediterranean coastal province of Latakia, the heartland of the ousted president's Alawite minority, who were considered bastions of support during his rule. The death toll "following attacks and ambushes by gunmen loyal to Assad in the town of Jableh and its surrounding areas increased to 16 members of the security forces", the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said, adding that the majority of the dead were from the former rebel bastion of Idlib. It said they were "the most violent attacks against the new authorities since Assad was toppled". At least three of the gunmen in Jableh were killed, said the Britain-based Observatory, which relies on a network of sources inside Syria. The province's security director had earlier said that Syrian forces were clashing with gunmen loyal to an Assad-era special forces commander in another village in Latakia, after authorities reportedly launched helicopter strikes. "The armed groups that our security forces were clashing with in the Latakia countryside were affiliated with the war criminal Suhail al-Hassan, who committed the most heinous massacres against the Syrian people," the security director told state news agency SANA. Nicknamed "The Tiger", Hassan led the country's special forces and was frequently described as Assad's "favourite soldier". He was responsible for key advances by the Assad government in 2015. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights had earlier reported "strikes launched by Syrian helicopters on armed men in the village of Beit Ana and the surrounding forests, coinciding with artillery strikes on a neighbouring village". SANA reported that militias loyal to the ousted president had opened fire on "members and equipment of the defence ministry" near the village, killing one security force member and wounding two. Qatari broadcaster Al Jazeera reported that its photographer Riad al-Hussein was wounded in the clashes but that he was doing well. A defence ministry source later told SANA that large military reinforcements were being deployed to the Jableh area "to support the security forces and restore stability to the area". Deadly attacks Alawite leaders later called in a statement on Facebook for "peaceful protests" in response to the air strikes, which they said had targeted "the homes of civilians". Tensions erupted after residents of Beit Ana, the birthplace of Suhail al-Hassan, prevented security forces from arresting a person wanted for trading arms, the Observatory said. Security forces subsequently launched a campaign in the area, resulting in clashes with gunmen, it added. The Observatory said it could not verify the identity or affiliation of the gunmen. Later on Thursday, large groups of young men, some bearing arms, gathered in Idlib in support of the security forces fighting in Latakia, the Observatory said. Messages broadcast over the loudspeakers of mosques called for "jihad" against the gunmen, it added. The tensions erupted after at least four civilians were killed during a security operation in the city of Latakia, the monitor said on Wednesday. Security forces launched the campaign in the Daatour neighbourhood on Tuesday after an ambush by "members of the remnants of Assad militias" killed two security personnel, state media reported. Islamist rebels led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham launched a lightning offensive that toppled Assad on December 8. The country's new security forces have since launched extensive campaigns seeking to root out Assad loyalists from his former bastions. Residents and organisations have reported violations during those campaigns, including the seizing of homes, field executions and kidnappings. Syria's new authorities have described the violations as "isolated incidents" and vowed to pursue those responsible. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
16 killed in 'most violent' Syria unrest since Assad ouster: monitor
Gunmen loyal to Syria's Bashar al-Assad killed 16 security personnel on Thursday, a war monitor said, in attacks it described as the "most violent" since the longtime president's ouster. The fighting took place in the Mediterranean coastal province of Latakia, the heartland of the ousted president's Alawite minority who were considered bastions of support during his rule. The death toll "following attacks and ambushes by gunmen loyal to Assad in the town of Jableh and its surrounding areas increased to 16 members of the security forces", the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said, adding that the majority of the dead were from the former rebel bastion of Idlib. It said they were "the most violent attacks against the new authorities since Assad was toppled". At least three of the gunmen in Jableh were killed, said the Britain-based Observatory, which relies on a network of sources inside Syria. The province's security director had earlier said that Syrian forces were clashing with gunmen loyal to an Assad-era special forces commander in another village in Latakia, after authorities reportedly launched helicopter strikes. "The armed groups that our security forces were clashing with in the Latakia countryside were affiliated with the war criminal Suhail al-Hassan, who committed the most heinous massacres against the Syrian people," the security director told state news agency SANA. Nicknamed "The Tiger", Hassan led the country's special forces and was frequently described as Assad's "favourite soldier". He was responsible for key advances by the Assad government in 2015. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights had earlier reported "strikes launched by Syrian helicopters on armed men in the village of Beit Ana and the surrounding forests, coinciding with artillery strikes on a neighbouring village". SANA reported that militias loyal to the ousted president had opened fire on "members and equipment of the defence ministry" near the village, killing one security force member and wounding two. Qatari broadcaster Al Jazeera reported that its photographer Riad al-Hussein was wounded in the clashes but that he was doing well. A defence ministry source later told SANA that large military reinforcements were being deployed to the Jableh area "to support the security forces and restore stability to the area". - Deadly attacks - Alawite leaders later called in a statement on Facebook for "peaceful protests" in response to the air strikes, which they said had targeted "the homes of civilians". Tensions erupted after residents of Beit Ana, the birthplace of Suhail al-Hassan, prevented security forces from arresting a person wanted for trading arms, the Observatory said. Security forces subsequently launched a campaign in the area, resulting in clashes with gunmen, it added. The Observatory said it could not verify the identity or affiliation of the gunmen. Later on Thursday, large groups of young men, some bearing arms, gathered in Idlib, in support of the security forces fighting in Latakia, the Observatory said. Messages broadcast over the loudspeakers of mosques called for "jihad" against the gunmen, it added. The tensions erupted after at least four civilians were killed during a security operation in the city of Latakia, the monitor said on Wednesday. Security forces launched the campaign in the Daatour neighbourhood on Tuesday after an ambush by "members of the remnants of Assad militias" killed two security personnel, state media reported. Islamist rebels led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham launched a lightning offensive that toppled Assad on December 8. The country's new security forces have since launched extensive campaigns seeking to root out Assad loyalists from his former bastions. Residents and organisations have reported violations during those campaigns, including the seizing of homes, field executions and kidnappings. Syria's new authorities have described the violations as "isolated incidents" and vowed to pursue those responsible. bur-lar/jsa/kir
