Syria remains fraught with tensions on Saturday, as the new leadership — emerging from a rebellion led by the Islamists of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and responsible for overthrowing former President Bashar al-Assad — struggles to assert its authority across the entire country.
Operations in Latakia
The new authorities launched a sweeping operation in the southern region of Latakia, the main city in the coastal northwestern area and a stronghold of the Alawite minority, from which the Assad family originates. The aim was to "restore security and stability," according to a Syrian security source speaking to Al-Jazeera.
"Individuals who refused reconciliation procedures and turned in their weapons past the deadline will face legal action," the source told the Qatari channel, adding that "remnants of the regime have become outlaws and pose a threat to civil peace."
The authorities also announced the arrest "of members of Assad's militias and several suspects" and reported seizing "quantities of weapons and ammunition" from them, as per the official news agency, Sana.
Simultaneously, Syrian security forces set up a checkpoint on the road leading to the Hmeimim airbase—one of the two primary installations used by Russian forces in Syria—effectively blocking all movement in and out, according to Al-Jazeera.
Later in the morning, Russian intelligence claimed that the United States and the United Kingdom were planning "terrorist attacks" against the base, though no further details were provided. In response, the alert level at the base was reportedly raised, as reported by Saudi outlet Al-Hadath.
Clashes in Northern Syria
In the northern region of the country, eastern Aleppo countryside witnessed renewed escalations between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF)—a Kurdish-led coalition backed by Washington—and factions of the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA), according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR).
The SDF reportedly targeted SNA positions with missiles near the Tishrin Dam and Qara Qozak Bridge, situated along the contact line between the two sides east of Manbij, the SOHR stated.
In response, Turkish-backed forces launched heavy artillery strikes on Kurdish positions south of Kobani (Ayn al-Arab), resulting in civilian casualties and significant material damage, the UK-based organization added.
Arrests in Deir Ezzor
In the eastern region, the new authorities conducted arrests on the outskirts of the city of Al-Mayadin in the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor, following complaints from local residents, according to the SOHR.
The arrested individuals were reportedly affiliated with the Al-Abbas Brigade, an Iraqi militia aligned with Iran that was active in the area before the fall of the Assad regime. The NGO also reported that weapons and ammunition were discovered in their possession.
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