Over 600 Dead in Syria as Clashes Erupt Between New Government Forces and Assad Loyalists

Two days of violence in Syria's coastal regions have left hundreds of civilians and combatants dead, raising concerns about the new government's ability to stabilize the war-torn nation.

Fighting began Thursday in the provinces of Latakia and Tartus, strongholds of the Alawite sect, after attacks by Assad loyalists on government forces escalated into widespread violence.
The death toll has surpassed 600, including at least 300 civilians, with reports of revenge killings targeting Alawite communities by Sunni gunmen loyal to the new government.
Monitoring groups allege that government forces have carried out indiscriminate attacks, including executions of civilians, while officials deny these claims and promise investigations.
Thousands of civilians have fled their homes, with residents reporting looting, arson, and sectarian violence in affected areas, leaving many bodies unburied in the streets.
The violence poses a significant challenge to Syria's interim government, led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, as it seeks to consolidate power and restore security after the ousting of Bashar al-Assad in December.