According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), heavy fighting in northwestern Syria resulted in the death of at least 70 people. The fighting in the town of Djebla and villages near the Mediterranean coast was reported to be the most violent since the fall of the Assad regime.

In an article on X, SOHR wrote: "More than 70 people have been killed and dozens more injured or captured in bloody clashes  between members of the defense and interior ministries and militants from the defunct regime’s army on the Syrian coast."

Clashes have been taking place in the region of Latakia, considered an Alawite stronghold, for the past few days.

Moreover, wrote SOHR, "the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Interior Affairs sent reinforcements from Idlib, Aleppo and Hama to the Latakia countryside to support forces engaging in the current fierce battles.

With the dramatic developments on the ground, the general security service has announced a 24-hour curfew in Latakia, Tartus and Homs provinces."

Democratic Autonomous Administration called for an end to the clashes

Democratic Autonomous Administration of Northern and Eastern Syria said in a written statement: "The intensity of clashes between forces loyal to the government of Damascus and military groups on the coast is increasing in Syria and especially in the coastal areas.

We express our concern and sadness about the incidents taking place on the coast. We state that the reason for this clash is the failure of the government of Damascus to correctly read the reality of Syria and the failure to take into account the sensitivity of the Syrian situation, especially the diversity of components and sects. This war will drag our country into disaster and lead to the massacre of our Syrian people."

The Autonomous Administration called "on all parties to act wisely and to put an end to this escalation, which will further increase the distance between national forces in Syria.

We have repeatedly emphasized that Syria needs a genuine national dialogue to move towards security, the resolution of conflicts and problems. We stated that this solution also means creating a Syria that meets the hopes and aspirations of all Syrian people, groups and beliefs.

We say once again that the war must be stopped and that dialogue must be moved forward. We call on our Syrian people not to follow those who want to start a civil war in our country."