Video: Anti-jihadist uprising breaks out near Russian base in Syria
Syria, March 7, 2025 – Alawite protests have begun in Syria. Supporters of former President Assad on the Syrian coast are against the new authorities. Protesters have staged a series of attacks in the Jebel district of Latakia province against security personnel of the new government. The Alawites announced the establishment of the “Military Council for the Liberation of Syria” from the “extremist jihadist terrorist regime” and called on Syrians regardless of nationality and religion to unite and build a unified Syrian state.
The new authorities of Syria are sending reinforcements from Idlib, Hama, Homs and Aleppo to the coastal areas of the country. Units of the Syrian interim government are entering the cities of Latakia and Tartus to fight against pro-Assad militias, the SANA news agency reported. A curfew had previously been imposed in these cities.
Violent clashes are ongoing between government forces and Alawite militias, a pillar of Assad’s government. At least 13 fighters from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham were killed in the Jabla region, where Assad’s family comes from. The uprising was sparked by an attempt by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham to purge a village in Latakia. After encountering armed resistance, they began shelling the village with artillery. This led to unrest in the neighboring settlements of Jabla and Hmeimim (the latter of which houses a Russian air base). Protests have also begun in the cities of Latakia and Tartus.
Videos have emerged online of rebels raising the Alawite flag over a police station in Al-Suwaida province and storming a military college that was the base of the ruling Islamist group. In order to gain control of population centers, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham is moving reinforcements from Aleppo, Hama, and Damascus into the region. Pro-Israeli Druze have also joined the fight. In Deraa province, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham has had to use armored vehicles. In al-Sanaimein in southern Syria, the uprising was led by Muhsin al-Haimada, a former officer in Assad’s military intelligence. As far as is known, Russian forces are not yet involved in the fighting. However, what is happening is beneficial for Russia, unlike Erdogan.
Max Bach
