2.5.2. Territorial control and main armed actors

Territorial control in Tartous governorate remained entirely under the control of the transitional government during the reporting period.706 For spring 2025, multiple pockets with pro-regime insurgent presence across the governorate were mapped by ISW and CTP.707

Forces of the new Syrian army present in the governorate comprised the 50th Coastal Division, which included former members of the National Liberation Front; the 56th Division, consisting of former HTS fighters; and the 84th Division.708 In May 2026, the International Crisis Group stated that the Turkistan Islamic Party, consisting mainly of Uyghur fighters, had been transformed into three brigades of the 84th Division.709

Non-state armed groups in the governorate that were active during the reporting period include a number of Assad loyalist insurgent groups. The militia Men of Light–Saraya Al-Jawad was formed in August 2025 in the Syrian coastal region.710 The Alawite militia is linked to the former Assad regime, as it is reportedly loyal to Suheil Al-Hassan, an army officer under the former regime.711 According to the Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper, citing Syria’s MoI, members of the militia took part in the attacks in the coastal region in March 2025.712 The militia remained active in Tartous.713 Furthermore, the Coastal Shield Brigade, led by the former Assad regime officer Miqdad Fatiha, remained active in Tartous during the reporting period.714 Reports indicated that, after March 2025, the Coastal Shield Brigade shifted its focus towards targeting Alawite civilians perceived as collaborating with the transitional government, rather than directing attacks against government security forces. Both insurgent groups, Coastal Shield Brigade and Men of Light–Saraya Al-Jawad, operated limited attacks on government forces during the reporting period.715