Deadly fighting in Alawite heartland city in Syria

Several people were killed in deadly fighting in Syria's coastal city of Latakia on February 25, 2026, when suspected supporters of the Assad regime attacked security forces in this Alawite heartland region. Latakia, a strategically important city on Syria's Mediterranean coast and a stronghold of President Bashar al-Assad's Alawite minority, has witnessed increasing tensions in recent months. The latest violence erupted when regime-aligned individuals allegedly targeted security personnel, resulting in multiple fatalities. The incident underscores the fragile security situation in areas nominally under government control, where underlying tensions between various factions continue to simmer despite the country's nominal return to stability in certain regions. Syria has been embroiled in civil war since 2011, with the Assad regime gradually regaining control over much of the country with the help of Russian and Iranian support. However, pockets of resistance and inter-communal violence persist, particularly in regions with mixed populations or where government forces maintain only tenuous control. The attack in Latakia represents a worrying escalation in the coastal province, which had previously been relatively stable compared to other parts of the country. The incident highlights the challenges facing the Syrian government in maintaining security even in its traditional strongholds.