The operation against the elements of the toppled Assad regime by security forces in Syria continues. According to reports, clashes have intensified in Latakia. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights claimed that over 300 people had lost their lives in two days. Giyas Delle, one of the generals loyal to Mahir Assad, is emerging as the mastermind behind the escalated clashes triggered by the killing of 11 security personnel.

In Syria, clashes are ongoing between army forces and elements of the toppled Assad regime. The Syrian state news agency SANA reported that the toppled regime elements in Latakia carried out attacks on six hospitals. It was reported that security forces launched a counterattack. The incidents resulted in casualties and injuries, along with infrastructure damage. The Syrian Ministry of Defense announced that they prevented the attack on the Navy Command in Latakia by the toppled regime elements. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, over 300 civilians lost their lives in the clashes in the past two days.

UNITY MESSAGE FROM AHMET ŞARA
President Ahmed Şara released a message emphasizing “national unity and solidarity.” In a video released by the Syrian Presidency Media Office, Şara stated that some toppled regime elements were trying to test the new Syria. He highlighted that protecting Syria is a collective responsibility. Addressing the toppled regime forces, the Syrian President stated that they would provide an insurmountable response. He emphasized that they would not let go of the toppled regime forces aiming to provoke, promising to take them to court. Şara also emphasized their determination to consolidate weapons only in the hands of the state.

The Syrian army has deployed reinforced units consisting of hundreds of vehicles including tanks, armored personnel carriers, and multiple rocket launchers to the provinces of Latakia and Tartus. According to a report based on security sources by the Syrian news agency SANA, operations will continue to capture the toppled regime forces. Those willing to surrender their weapons are encouraged to head to the nearest security checkpoint. Security forces had previously launched an operation against the armed toppled regime elements who had refused to surrender their weapons in the Sanamayn district of the Dera province.

NAME IGNITING THE SPARK OF THE EVENTS: GIYAS DELLE
Following the killing of 11 security personnel by the toppled regime forces setting up an ambush on March 6, Giyas Delle, one of the generals loyal to Mahir Assad, emerged as the mastermind behind the escalating clashes. Delle, who served in the 4th Division loyal to Mahir Assad, had been associated with numerous massacres committed by the unity in Syria. He is held accountable for the massacres targeting the civilian population conducted with heavy weapons in the Muadamiye and Deraya areas of Damascus in 2012.

MANAGED THE SIEGES WHERE PEOPLE DIED OF HUNGER
The toppled regime commander also managed the regime sieges where over 100 people died of hunger in Madaya and Zebadani districts of Damascus. Delle was also at the forefront in the East Ghouta siege where many civilians died of hunger. There are still photos on social media of the time when the toppled regime generals, along with Iran-led militias, carried out attacks against opposition forces and civilians. Mahir Assad was known to have the strongest ties with Iran during the toppled regime era. After the overthrow of the regime, Delle fled to his hometown Latakia, where he organized former soldiers and militias, establishing an underground structure which he declared as a “military council.” Delle, who was born in the Beyt Yashut village of Latakia in 1971, was sanctioned by the US on August 20, 2020, due to his role in obstructing ceasefires in Syria. The escalated clashes in Latakia starting on March 6 mostly subsided yesterday evening when security forces established control over the region.