Germany Urges Syria to Prevent Escalation of Violence

Germany's Foreign Ministry has issued a call for restraint amid escalating violence in Syria, following recent clashes that resulted in over 200 fatalities within a span of two days. The conflict has intensified between the forces of the new government and armed groups loyal to the ousted regime of Bashar al-Assad.

According to reports from the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), fighters aligned with the new authorities launched attacks on villages along Syria's coastal region--known for its historical support for Assad. These assaults were reportedly in retaliation for assaults on government security forces attributed to Assad's loyalists.

In a statement, Germany expressed shock at the loss of life in western Syria, urging all involved parties to pursue peaceful resolutions, foster national unity, engage in inclusive political dialogue, and seek transitional justice to break the cycle of violence and animosity.

Earlier in the year, during a visit to Damascus, the German Foreign Minister extended an offer of support to Syria's government, contingent upon specific conditions including the protection of minority groups within the country.

The recent surge of violence erupted following a series of ambushes on government forces, attributed to Assad's supporters, particularly in the western coastal areas. The SOHR has reported that among the deceased are approximately 140 individuals killed in retaliatory strikes, alongside at least 50 members of government forces and 45 fighters loyal to Assad.

While the Syrian government has not disclosed official casualty figures, state media has suggested that many individuals from the coastal areas sought vengeance for the attacks on government security personnel, acknowledging that these actions have led to violations that authorities aim to address.

In terms of military response, the spokesman for the Defense Ministry indicated that government forces have made significant advances, regaining control over areas previously affected by the violence. The head of the General Intelligence Service claimed that preliminary investigations have revealed that former military and security officials associated with the previous regime are orchestrating these violent acts.

In a related development, Syria's interim President, Ahmed al-Sharaa, who leads the rebel faction that toppled Assad's government, has appealed to pro-Assad fighters from the Alawite community to surrender their weapons before the situation deteriorates further. In a message conveyed via Telegram, he emphasized the necessity of consolidating arms under state control, asserting that there would no longer be tolerance for unregulated weaponry.

Clashes in western Syria have escalated to the highest levels of violence since the regime of Assad was ousted in December by insurgents led primarily by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). The new governing body has pledged to unify Syria following 14 years of civil strife that has resulted in the deaths of over half a million individuals and displaced millions more.