Deadly clashes erupted in Syria after pro-Assad fighters launched coordinated attacks on security forces last Thursday. The violence quickly escalated into retaliatory killings, as thousands of armed supporters of the country’s new leadership mobilised to reinforce security forces in the coastal regions. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based war monitor, claimed that the clashes, which have continued into their fourth day, have already resulted in 1,000 deaths.

In response to the unrest, interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa has called for national unity. Addressing a crowd at a mosque in his childhood neighbourhood of Mezzeh, Damascus, he sought to reassure Syrians, stating that the country possesses the resilience needed to survive the ongoing crisis. “We have to preserve national unity and domestic peace. We can live together,” he declared, urging citizens to resist efforts to push Syria into further division and conflict.

Al-Sharaa has launched an official investigation into the bloodshed, announcing the establishment of a fact-finding committee to examine the events unfolding along the coast. Additionally, an independent committee has been tasked with identifying those responsible for violations against civilians, with perpetrators expected to be referred to court. The presidency has stipulated that the committee must submit its findings within 30 days. In his address to the nation on Sunday, al-Sharaa condemned attempts to incite civil war, insisting that remnants of the former regime must surrender immediately. He vowed to hold all those complicit in the violence accountable, underscoring the government’s commitment to ensuring justice.

The strategic significance of these clashes is further highlighted by recent fighting in Qardahah, the birthplace of the al-Assad family, and in Baniyas, home to Syria’s largest oil refinery. Reports suggest that remnants of the former regime have repeatedly attempted to seize control of the refinery, adding to the instability. Syrian security forces have reported the loss of 230 personnel, with civilians bearing the brunt of the casualties. UN human rights chief Volker Turk has called for immediate investigations and accountability, insisting that Syrian authorities must translate their commitments to the rule of law into concrete action.

The turmoil in Syria has broader regional implications, prompting neighbouring countries to seek solutions. Jordan hosted a regional conference on Sunday, bringing together officials from Turkiye, Iraq, Lebanon, and Syria to address security concerns, reconstruction efforts, and the refugee crisis. Stability in Syria is seen as critical to addressing key regional challenges, including the voluntary repatriation of refugees from Turkiye and Jordan, Iraq’s ongoing fight against ISIS, and Jordan’s battle against drug trafficking. The overthrow of Bashar al-Assad in December ended more than 50 years of dynastic rule marked by repression and a devastating war.