2.4.3. Security trends

After the insurgency in March 2025 in the coastal region the rate of events dropped rapidly.661 In August 2025 the coastal region recorded a spike in attacks by Assadist remnants.662 Throughout the rest of 2025, the governorate witnessed a low-intensity conflict, marked by sporadic violence involving non-state armed groups.663

On 23 October 2025, the Internal Security Forces in cooperation with the Counter-Terrorism Branch arrested a cell which had reportedly support from Rami Makhlouf, a cousin of former president Bashar al-Assad.664 On 24 November 2025, the Internal Security Forces killed two members of a cell, which espoused ISIL ideology, and arrested the rest of the cell in Al-Badrusiya in northern Latakia countryside.665 According to ISW, the MoI characterised the cell as part of the group Saraya Ansar Al-Sunnah.666 For further information on the armed group Saraya Ansar Al-Sunnah, see section 1.2.6. Other relevant armed actors.

Furthermore, in November and December 2025, clashes broke out during protests in Latakia city. On 25 November, Alawite protesters gathered to demand a decentralised political system. According to Reuters, Syrian Security Forces used gunfire to disrupt rival protesters.667 A month later, on 28 December 2025, demonstrations called by Sheikh Ghazal Ghazal, the Supreme Alawite Islamic Council in Syria and the diaspora, took place in Latakia and further coastal locations, in reaction to the 26 December 2025 bombing of an Alawite mosque in Homs.668 Reportedly, pro-government counter-protestors and government forces as well as unspecific anti-government fighters became involved as the protests descended into turmoil.669 The Coastal Shield Brigade and Saraya Al-Jawad reportedly took part in the violent clashes.670 Four persons were killed and 108 were wounded by pro-Assad insurgents.671 In response, the MoD deployed military units to Latakia.672 The situation in Latakia remained tense, as several attacks in Alawite neighbourhoods took place.673

On 24 December 2025, the army conducted a security operation against an Alawite anti-government militia in Babdh, Jablah district. Three anti-government insurgents and one civilian were killed.674 In February 2026, the group Saraya Al-Jawad was reportedly involved in clashes with internal security forces. Bashar Abdullah Abu Raqiya, the leader of the militia, two of the militia’s commanders and one member of the internal security forces were killed.675 In early May 2026, the MoI announced that a jointly conducted security operation with the General Intelligence Service in Latakia and four other governorates had dismantled a Hezbollah-affiliated cell.676
The governorate further witnessed multiple killings of civilians by unidentified gunmen.677 Media and human rights sources documented several incidents of kidnapping, enforced disappearance, and gender-based violence targeting Alawite women in the coastal region.678