Syria confronts simultaneous assaults from Assad loyalists in the west and ISIL in the east.

In recent weeks, Syria has experienced a resurgence of violence as remnants of the previous regime and extremist factions aim to destabilize the nation undergoing a transformative recovery. Clashes between internal security forces and a militia associated with the ousted Assad government have tragically resulted in fatalities, highlighting the complexities and challenges faced by a transitional government striving for stability in a post-conflict landscape. The rise of these shadowy armed groups underscores not only the lingering divisions within the country but also the broader geopolitical maneuvering at play, as outside actors seek to influence Syria’s trajectory.

Clashes between Syrian internal security forces and a militia linked to the ousted government of Bashar al-Assad have left at least four people dead in the Alawite-majority coastal province of Latakia, marking a significant escalation in the new government’s fight to stabilize a nation emerging from years of ruinous civil war. The fighting erupted on Tuesday west of the village of Hamam al-Qarahleh in the countryside of Jableh as security forces were responding to reports that members of “Saraya al-Jawad” (al-Jawad Brigades), a shadowy armed group linked to regime remnants, had launched an attack on security positions. According to the official Al-Ikhbariya TV channel, the confrontation resulted in the death of one member of the Internal Security Forces. Security units managed to “neutralize” a top commander of the militia along with two of his associates, bringing the death toll to at least four.

The emergence of Saraya al-Jawad represents a shift from disorganized loyalist resistance to a more structured rebellion in the coastal heartland, traditionally the stronghold of the al-Assad family. Formed in August 2025, the militia reportedly pledges loyalty to Suheil al-Hassan, a brigadier-general who commanded the elite Tiger Forces during the former regime. The Ministry of Interior accuses the group of conducting a destabilization campaign, which includes “assassinations, bombings, and targeting public celebrations.” This crackdown in Latakia coincides with efforts by the transitional government, which took power after the regime’s collapse in December 2024, to dismantle the “deep state” armed cells that continue to undermine stability.

The violence in the west coincided with a resurgence of attacks in the east earlier in the week, further jeopardizing the fragile stability of the nation. ISIL (ISIS) claimed responsibility for a series of attacks on security outposts in Deir Az Zor province, which included deadly ambushes that resulted in casualties among security personnel.

Interior Minister Anas Khattab linked the simultaneous conflicts, accusing “remnants of the previous regime and ISIL” of attempting to disrupt the country’s security and target its advancements. Analysts suggest that these coordinated flare-ups may not be coincidental. Some experts believe that external actors, possibly those who have lost influence in Syria, may be facilitating these violent activities to depict the new Syrian state as weak and incapable of maintaining order.

However, other analysts attribute the rise in violence to the natural friction accompanying a power transition and the withdrawal of international forces. The risks posed by a potential security vacuum in vast regions of Syria must not be overlooked, as there are concerns that arid areas could become safe havens for regrouping militants if decisive governmental action is not taken. Calls have been made for the government to engage Arab tribes in Deir Az Zor as a counterforce against these rebelling elements.

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