DUBAI, March 9. /TASS/. Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa has established a high-level committee to safeguard civil peace, which will, among other efforts, provide assistance to civilians in the western provinces affected by recent clashes.
According to a presidential decree released by Syria's state-run SANA agency, committee members are expected to "engage in direct dialogue with residents of the Syrian coast, consider their views, and provide necessary support to ensure security, stability, and strengthen national unity during this challenging period."
On March 6, clashes broke out in various areas of the Latakia governorate between Syrian security forces and armed groups supporting former Syrian President Bashar Assad. The fiercest fighting took place in Jableh, home to Alawites, representatives of the religious minority, to which the Assad family belongs.
Latest reports indicate that 250 armed supporters of the former president have been killed since the situation escalated, while security forces loyal to the new authorities have lost 231 fighters. The number of civilian casualties has exceeded 800, the majority of whom belong to the Alawite community.