Syria launches operation to pursue ‘remnants of Assad's militias’

The new Syrian authorities yesterday launched a security operation to pursue “remnants of Assad’s militias” in Tartus, a province known as a stronghold for supporters of ousted President Bashar Al-Assad, local media reported.

The operation followed Wednesday’s clashes in Khirbat Al-Mazza, Tartus, where 14 security personnel were killed during an attempt to arrest Mohammad Kanjo Hassan, a former senior officer in Assad’s regime, accused of involvement in crimes at Sednaya Prison.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported the killing of three armed men linked to the former regime.

The new authorities’ military operations directorate announced yesterday the start of a “campaign to restore security, stability, and civil peace, and to pursue remnants of Assad’s militias in the forests and hills” of rural Tartus.

The operation has so far “neutralised several remnants of Assad’s militias and continues to pursue others,” according to the statement.

Al-Assad fled Syria after opposition factions, led by Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham, launched a sweeping offensive, capturing city after city until they reached Damascus on 8 December. This marked the end of his family’s rule, which lasted over five decades.

After more than 13 years of devastating conflict, the new Syrian administration faces the challenging task of establishing security and protecting the country’s multi-ethnic and multi-sectarian fabric from further collapse. Since arriving in Damascus, the administration has pledged to safeguard minorities, including the Alawite community, to which the ousted president belonged.

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