Turkey on Friday warned against “provocations” in Syria’s Latakia province where recent clashes killed dozens in some of the worst violence since Bashar al-Assad’s fall, saying they threatened peace, Agence France-Presse reported.
“Such provocations must not be allowed to become a threat to the peace of Syria and our region,” foreign ministry spokesman Öncü Keçeli wrote on X.
According to the the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, more than 70 people were killed and dozens more wounded in Syria in fighting between government security forces and militants loyal to deposed ruler al-Assad.
“More than 70 killed and dozens wounded and captured in bloody clashes and ambushes on the Syrian coast between members of the Ministry of Defense and Interior and militants from the defunct regime’s army,” the group said in a post on X.
Islamist rebels led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham launched a lightning offensive that toppled al-Assad on December 8.
The country’s new security forces have since carried out extensive campaigns seeking to root out Assad loyalists from his former bastions.
Residents and organizations have reported violations during those campaigns, including the seizing of homes, field executions and kidnappings.
Syria’s new authorities have described the violations as “isolated incidents” and vowed to pursue those responsible.