New Syrian authorities face deadly ambush from Assad loyalists

In December 2024, Syria's new administration intensified efforts to arrest loyalists of the ousted president Bashar al-Assad, amidst rising tensions following his ousting earlier that month. This effort included the arrest of senior military justice official Mohammed Kanjo Hassan, in Tartus, a coastal province that is a stronghold of Assad's regime, alongside 20 members of his entourage. Hassan had previously presided over the military field court that issued thousands of death sentences during his time under Assad. The new authorities aim to address the remnants of the Assad regime which pose a threat to the peace and security of the country after over a decade of civil war. This operation followed clashes between the new governance forces and Assad loyalists, resulting in the deaths of 14 security personnel, highlighting the volatile security landscape the new administration faces as it works to stabilize the nation and bring justice for the atrocities committed under the former regime. These developments also reflect wider concerns in Syria regarding sectarian tensions, rising of violence, and the challenges of governance in a landscape fraught with distrust and fear of retaliation from Assad loyalists and their supporters. Observers note that the transitional government under Hayat Tahrir al-Sham faces the daunting task of unifying a scarred society while implementing reforms and establishing accountability mechanisms for past abuses.