Syrian Forces Search Former Assad Stronghold After Suspected Loyalist Attacks
Syrian security forces searched for suspects in the city of Latakia on Tuesday, residents said, after two defence ministry members were killed in an attack blamed by state media on remnants of Bashar al-Assad's ousted government. The coastal region of Latakia area has emerged as one of the main security challenges for Syria's Islamist-led government as it works to consolidate control after seizing power in Damascus in December. Assad drew support from among the region's Alawite minority, to which his family belongs.
- The escalating violence in Latakia reflects the deep-seated divisions within Syrian society, with various groups vying for power and influence in a country still reeling from decades of conflict.
- Will the security forces' efforts to quell these attacks be enough to address the underlying grievances of the Alawite minority and prevent further instability in Syria?