‘Russians are the next target’: Militants in Syria could train their guns on Latakia after Suweida

As Syria battles a new wave of civil war, a report has claimed that Islamic militants, who have the covert support of the Syrian government led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa, could target the northwestern town of Latakia next. The allegations are that the Syrian government and its soldiers covertly supported the Bedouins in attacking the Druze fighters in Suweida.

Despite the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, al-Sharaa hasn’t been able to control the whole of Syria. In fact,   the new government only controls a small part of Syria’s territory. Post the fall of Assad, the Russians withdrew the bulk of their military force, military systems, and weapons from Syria, except for Latakia, where they still maintain their base.

A report that appeared in the Hebrew website Channel 7 cited IDF intelligence sources to claim that al-Sharaa could continue to consolidate his control over various areas in Syria. The two areas that are currently the focus of the regime's attention are Suweida in southern Syria and the coastal region of Latakia in western Syria, the report added.

It is in such a context that the militant groups, with the support of the Syrian government, clashed with Russian soldiers stationed at Latakia in recent months. A number of incidents occurred last May during which at least five Russian soldiers were killed in violent incidents with jihadist militias. Russia did not publicise the events, and they have been kept under wraps.

According to Channel 7, the same militants used by al-Sharaa’s forces to seize power in Syria. However, it is unclear whether the militant groups still enjoy a rapport with the Syrian president. It is also unclear whether the attack on Russians was an act directly directed by the regime.

 

 

 

Middle East