Syria's New Leadership Targets Assad Loyalists in Nationwide Crackdown

The transitional government intensifies efforts to detain remnants of the ousted regime, raising concerns over justice and minority protections.

Syria's new government, led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, has launched a sweeping crackdown on individuals linked to the former Assad regime, focusing on areas like Latakia, Tartous, and Homs.
Authorities claim the operations target armed loyalists who refused to disarm, but human rights groups have raised concerns over arbitrary arrests and potential abuses.
A recent ambush in Tartous by Assad loyalists killed 14 government officers, escalating tensions and prompting Interior Minister Mohammed Abdul Rahman to promise strict security measures.
Lebanon has returned 70 former Syrian military personnel who fled after Assad's ousting; many were detained by the new Syrian authorities upon their return.
The transitional government faces pressure from international actors to ensure minority protections and implement fair justice processes during Syria's political transition.