France voices concern over violence in Syria's coastal cities

ISTANBUL

France expressed “deep concern” over the recent violent incidents in Syria’s coastal region.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the French Foreign Ministry condemned "atrocities committed against civilians on the basis of religion grounds and against prisoners," calling the Syrian government to launch an independent probe to “shed full light" on violent incidents.

The ministry reaffirmed its support for an inclusive and peaceful political transition in Syria, free from foreign interventions, and one that safeguards ethnic and religious communities.

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa said Sunday that recent security incidents in the country’s coastal region are “under control,” describing them as “expected challenges.”

In recent days, the coastal provinces of Latakia and Tartus have seen heightened security tensions amid coordinated attacks by loyalists of the former Assad regime. These attacks, described as the most severe since the regime’s fall in December, targeted security patrols, checkpoints, and hospitals, resulting in deaths and injuries.

In response, security and military forces launched sweeping operations to track down the attackers. The operations have led to fierce clashes, as government officials assert that the situation is moving toward full stability.

Bashar Assad, Syria’s leader for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia on Dec. 8, ending the Baath Party’s regime, which had been in power since 1963.

Sharaa, who led anti-regime forces to oust Assad, was declared president for a transitional period on Jan. 29.