Interim leader Sharaa calls for peace as Syria hit by deadliest violence in years

In the latest chapter of Syria's ongoing conflict, violence has reached deadly levels, particularly in the coastal regions of the country. A war monitor reports that over 1,000 people have been killed, with the majority of casualties being civilians. The clashes, which began several days ago, continue to ravage the region, pitting loyalists of deposed President Bashar al-Assad against Syria’s new Islamist rulers, led by interim president Ahmed Sharaa.

The escalating violence has raised concerns for the fragile peace in Syria after years of brutal civil war. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the majority of those killed in the recent fighting are civilians, many of them from Assad's Alawite sect. At least 125 security forces members and 148 fighters loyal to Assad are also reported dead.

Sharaa, who assumed leadership after Assad’s fall, has called for national unity and peace in the wake of the violence. In a video message, he urged Syrians to resist sectarian tensions and to focus on preserving the country’s unity. Speaking from his childhood neighborhood of Mazzah in Damascus, Sharaa emphasized that Syria has the resilience to overcome these challenges.

"We must live together," Sharaa stated. "What is currently happening is within the expected challenges. We will get through this." His calls for unity come as the conflict has deepened, with government forces targeting insurgents hiding in the mountainous areas near key coastal cities such as Latakia and Jabla.

The fighting, which has slowed somewhat in recent days, involves remnants of Assad’s loyalist forces, now operating as insurgents, and militias aligned with the new government. Pro-Assad fighters have resorted to hit-and-run tactics, targeting utilities and infrastructure. A Syrian security source confirmed that vital installations, including a power station, a water pumping station, and several fuel depots, have been sabotaged in recent days. These actions are believed to be part of a broader effort to disrupt life and further destabilize the region.

The international community has been quick to condemn the violence. The European Union issued a statement condemning "all violence against civilians" and any actions that might undermine Syria's prospects for peace. The EU also expressed concern over the potential derailment of a peaceful transition in the country.

The current unrest follows months of relative calm after the ouster of Assad, which came as a result of the efforts of rebel groups, including Sharaa's Sunni Islamist group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. The removal of Assad has marked the end of nearly two decades of dynastic rule by the Assad family, which had been characterized by a brutal crackdown on dissent and a devastating civil war that has left hundreds of thousands dead and millions displaced.

Despite the victory over Assad, Syria is far from peace. The country's political landscape remains fractured, with ongoing insurgency in the Mediterranean provinces and growing tensions between various factions. While the new government led by Sharaa has been able to take control of the military and establish an interim leadership, the path forward remains uncertain.

The escalating violence underscores the challenges facing Syria’s new leadership, as it grapples with internal divisions and the complex web of allegiances within the country. The situation is compounded by the broader geopolitical struggle, as various regional powers continue to exert influence in the conflict, adding to the difficulties of establishing a lasting peace.

The fighting in Syria’s coastal heartland is far from over, and with the involvement of numerous armed factions and the humanitarian toll mounting, the international community remains on edge as it watches events unfold. Whether the country can heal from the scars of a decade-long war and achieve lasting peace remains to be seen.

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