Syria Faces Turmoil Following Assad's Fall as Protests and Violence Escalate

Tensions rise with deadly clashes, protests over religious sites, and warnings of further instability from regional powers.

At least 17 people, including 14 security forces, were killed in Tartus during an ambush by Assad loyalists as authorities attempted to arrest a former regime officer accused of atrocities.
Protests erupted across Syria, including in Damascus, Aleppo, and Homs, after a video showing an attack on an Alawite shrine was circulated online, sparking fears of sectarian violence.
The new transitional government imposed curfews in several cities to contain unrest, while Alawite and Christian communities expressed concerns about potential reprisals post-Assad's ousting.
Iran, a long-time ally of the ousted Assad regime, warned of potential resistance against Syria's new leadership, while its diplomatic ties with the country remain strained.
The Islamist-led Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which played a key role in toppling Assad, faces challenges in uniting Syria's diverse groups amid ongoing violence and geopolitical tensions.