DAMASCUS / UNITED NATIONS / MOSCOW - Syrian interim President Ahmed Al-Sharaa on Friday night blamed remnants of the former regime for the escalating violence in Latakia province, vowing to bring those responsible to justice and ensure national stability.
In a recorded televised address speaking about the current flare-up in the coastal region, Al-Sharaa hailed security forces for swiftly containing the violence, which erupted after loyalists of the former government ambushed Syrian security units in the coastal province on Thursday, killing 16.
"Some remnants of the fallen regime sought to test the new Syria they do not understand," Al-Sharaa said. "But Syria today is united -- from east to west, north to south."
He reiterated that the state and the people are one, and vowed to pursue those responsible for attacking security forces and civilians.
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"Those who insist on violence will be held accountable in a fair court," he declared, calling on former regime remnants to surrender their weapons immediately.
Despite the deadly clashes, Al-Sharaa urged restraint, instructing security forces to avoid excessive retaliation.
"What sets us apart from our enemies is our commitment to principles," he said, stressing the need to protect civilians in conflict zones.
However, monitoring groups like the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported civilian casualties as a result of violations reportedly committed by the Syrian forces in Latakia.
In a report on Friday evening, the Observatory said at least 237 people have been killed in Syria's coastal region since the latest military escalation began on Thursday.
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It reported that the toll included 142 non-combatants, along with 50 soldiers and officers from Syria's Defense and Interior Ministries and 45 opposition fighters.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday strongly condemned all violence and called for an end to hostilities in Syria.
Guterres is concerned about the recent clashes in Syria's coastal areas, including reports of extrajudicial killings and civilian casualties, Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for the UN secretary-general, said during a daily briefing.
The UN chief strongly condemns all violence in Syria and calls on the parties to protect civilians and cease hostilities, Dujarric said.
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Guterres is alarmed by the risk of escalating tensions among communities in Syria at a time when reconciliation and peaceful political transition should be the priority, Dujarric said. "After 14 years of conflict, Syrians deserve sustainable peace, prosperity and justice.”
In Moscow, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said on Friday that Russia is alarmed by the escalation of the situation in Syria.
Moscow called on Syrian leaders who can influence the development of the situation on the ground to bring an early end to the bloodshed and prevent civilian casualties, Zakharova said.
The spokesperson added that Russia hopes that countries with influence on the situation in Syria will contribute to its normalization and Moscow is determined to closely coordinate efforts with foreign partners to de-escalate the situation.
