Egypt Daily News – The Ministry of Defense in the government of Syria’s transitional phase leader, Ahmed Al Sharaa, announced on Monday the “end of the military operation “against those it described as the “remnants of the defunct regime” in Latakia and Tartus.
In posts on the “X” platform published by the Syrian News Agency (SANA), Defense Ministry spokesman Hassan Abdelghani said: “In fulfillment of the pledge we made to our honorable people with the launch of the second phase of operations, we announce the success of our forces, by the grace of God and the determination of our men, in achieving all the objectives set for this phase.”
Al Sharaa added: “By the grace of God, we were able to absorb the attacks of the remnants of the defunct regime and its officers, shattered their element of surprise, managed to push them away from vital centers, and secured most of the main roads they used as a launching point to target our innocent civilians.”
He continued: “Our forces succeeded in neutralizing the security cells and remnants of the defunct regime in the towns of Al-Mukhtariya and Al-Mazairaa, and the Zubar area in Latakia, as well as the towns of Al-Dalia, Ta’nita, and Al-Qadmous in Tartus province, thereby thwarting threats and securing the region.”
Abdelghani affirmed that “with this achievement, we announce the end of the military operation that was launched for previously stated objectives. Now that public institutions are capable of resuming work and providing essential services to our people, life can gradually return to normal, and efforts can focus on consolidating security and stability.”
Al Sharaa issued a warning to “the remaining defeated remnants of the regime and its fleeing officers,” stating: “Our message is clear and direct: If you return, we return, and you will find nothing before you but men who know no retreat and show no mercy to those whose hands are stained with the blood of innocents.”
Syria has witnessed its worst outbreak of violence in recent days since the overthrow of former President Bashar Al-Assad late last year, after gunmen attacked Alawite strongholds last Thursday in what Syrian authorities described as an attempt to suppress a rebellion by pro-former-regime insurgents.
Government-aligned gunmen carried out summary executions and spoke of “cleansing” the country, according to eyewitnesses and video footage, painting a grim picture of a campaign against the remnants of Assad’s former regime, which escalated into sectarian killings.
The UK-based Syrian Network for Human Rights told CNN on Sunday that the death toll from the clashes had risen to 642 people.
