Syrian authorities announced on March 9 the reinforcement of security forces in the coastal region and the imposition of control over areas that witnessed clashes. The announcement followed reports of the killing of over 1000 Alawite civilians by security forces and allied groups, as reported by state media.

Interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa urged Alawite fighters to surrender before it was too late. Residents of the coastal area described killings of civilians during sweeping operations and clashes with pro-Assad fighters, which erupted two days ago and have been the fiercest since the ousting of al-Assad on December 8.

The overall death toll since the clashes began has risen to 1000, including fighters from both sides and Syrians, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), said on March 8. 

As clashes subsided on March 9, Syria’s official news agency (SANA) reported that security forces had reinforced their presence, particularly in Baniyas, Latakia, and Jableh, to “restore order.”

Syrian Defence Ministry spokesperson Hassan Abdul Ghani announced that security forces had "regained control over areas that witnessed treacherous attacks against public security personnel."

In a video statement to SANA, he urged all field units engaged in combat to “strictly adhere to the instructions of military and security commanders,” stressing that “no one is permitted to enter any home or harm any individual inside their residence, except under objectives determined by Defence Ministry officers.”

Abdul Ghani announced the closure of roads leading to the coastal region to restore stability, coordinating with the Public Security Administration. A special committee was formed to monitor violations, and those who disobeyed military orders during the recent operation were referred to the military court.

Meanwhile, the International Committee of the Red Cross called for the “protection of civilian lives and for medical and humanitarian workers to be granted safe access to provide medical aid and transport the wounded and deceased.”

Tensions initially flared two days ago in an Alawite-majority village in rural Latakia after security forces arrested a wanted individual. The situation quickly escalated into clashes when Alawite gunmen opened fire, according to SOHR.

SOHR shared videos showing dozens of civilian-clothed bodies, some piled up in a courtyard near a house with bloodstains visible nearby, while women wailed at the scene.