Banias, Syria — Syria’s interim leader, Ahmad al-Sharaa, has called for unity and calm as violence and revenge killings continue to surge in areas that once staunchly supported ousted leader Bashar al-Assad.

The appeal for peace comes as hundreds of civilians flee their homes in the coastal provinces of Latakia and Tartus, where reports of looting and mass killings, including of children, have emerged.

Witnesses in Hai Al Kusour, a predominantly Alawite neighbourhood in the coastal city of Banias, described streets littered with bodies.

Ayman Fares, a local resident, recounted scenes of horror, saying, “It is horrific.” Fares, who was recently freed from prison after being detained for criticising Assad’s regime, was spared execution but had his belongings looted by attackers he described as possibly Uzbek or Chechen, along with some Syrian civilians.

The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights has reported over 740 civilian deaths in Latakia, Jableh, and Banias, alongside the deaths of approximately 300 security personnel and Assad loyalists in ongoing clashes. However, these figures remain unverified by independent sources.

The violence was sparked by Assad loyalists who refused to disarm, ambushing security forces in the coastal cities last week.

The turmoil has been exacerbated by a new rebellion led by Ghiath Dallah, a former brigadier general in Assad’s army, who announced the formation of the “Military Council for the Liberation of Syria.”

Reports suggest that former security officers loyal to Assad have regrouped in the mountains to resist the interim government.

Ali, another resident of Banias, described the chaos that engulfed his neighbourhood, with armed factions looting homes and targeting Alawite families.

He and his family were rescued by Sunni neighbours and taken to a safer area. “We lived together for years, Alawites, Sunnis, and Christians. We never experienced this,” he said, expressing disbelief at the sudden outbreak of sectarian violence.

As the interim government struggles to restore order, accusations of mismanagement and security failures have emerged. Critics argue that Sharaa’s dismantling of Syria’s security apparatus without a clear strategy has left a power vacuum, fueling the violence.

With 90% of the population living below the poverty line and thousands of former security personnel unemployed, the conditions are ripe for further unrest.

The interim leader’s call for unity faces significant challenges, with sectarian tensions escalating. While some Sunni factions are demanding retaliation for atrocities committed during Assad’s regime, the broader community has condemned the killing of civilians.

Demonstrations in Damascus have mourned the dead and called for an end to the bloodshed.

The presence of foreign fighters with radical Islamist agendas further complicates the situation, undermining Sharaa’s authority over some factions.

As the interim leader works towards drafting a new constitution that promises equal rights for all Syrians, his ability to control the violent factions and expel foreign fighters will be a critical test of his leadership.

For Syria, the path to peace remains uncertain, shadowed by the ghosts of its recent past and the deep scars of sectarian violence.