Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The European Union has condemned the attacks perpetrated by remnants of the ousted regime, which attacked security forces in the coastal regions, as well as all acts of violence against civilians, and tries to damage stability in Syria.
In a statement, the EU stated:
We strongly condemn the recent attacks reportedly carried out by Assad loyalists on government forces in the coastal regions of Syria and all acts of violence against civilians.
The EU emphasized that “civilians must be protected under all circumstances, with full respect for international humanitarian law.”
The EU urged all foreign actors to fully respect Syria’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity. It condemns any attempts to sabotage stability and the prospects for a wide and respectful, lasting peaceful transition for all Syrians.
Who is responsible for the recent violence in Syria?
Syria’s security forces have been employed in heavy battles with soldiers loyal to former ruler Bashar al-Assad. It is the most destructive violence in Syria since rebels overturned Assad in December and established an Islamist transitional government. A war monitoring group, the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, stated more than 70 people have been slain.
Security forces stated they had regained control of much of the regions in Tartous and Latakia governorates, where al-Assad loyalists launched co-ordinated attacks at checkpoints, security entrapments and military posts.
Syria’s state news agency SANA said that after the attacks, countless people went to the coastal areas pursuing revenge for the attack on government security forces. The official expressed the actions “led to some individual violations and we are working on stopping them”.
There is still a curfew in effect in Latakia and other coastal regions that are predominantly home to al-Assad’s minority Alawite sect and comprise his longtime base of support. Amid the constant fighting, dozens of civilians and members of the ex-regime and their families have taken refuge at the Russian Khmeimim base in the Latakia countryside.
