DAMASCUS, MAR 10: A Syrian military operation against loyalists of ousted former President Bashar al-Assad has been completed, the defense ministry said on Monday.
Hassan Abdul Ghany, the defense ministry spokesperson, said in a statement on X that public institutions were now able to resume their work and provide essential services.
“We are paving the way for life to return to normal and for the consolidation of security and stability,” he said.
He added that plans were in place to continue combating the remnants of the former government and eliminate any future threats.
Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa vowed on Sunday to hunt down the perpetrators of the violent clashes and said he would hold to account anyone who overstepped the new rulers’ authority.
Al-Sharaa’s office also said it was forming an independent committee to investigate the clashes and killings carried out by both sides.
Abdul Ghany added that the security forces would cooperate with the investigation committee, offering full access to uncover the circumstances of the events, verify the facts and ensure justice for the wronged.
“We were able to absorb the attacks from the remnants of the former regime and its officers. We shattered their element of surprise and managed to push them away from vital centers, securing most of the main roads,” he said.
Syrian security sources said over the weekend more than 300 of their members had been killed in clashes with former army personnel owing allegiance to Assad in coordinated attacks and ambushes on their forces that began on Thursday.
Syria’s state news agency SANA reported on Sunday that a mass grave had been discovered near Qardaha, Assad’s hometown, containing the bodies of recently killed security forces.
The attacks spiraled into revenge killings when thousands of armed supporters of Syria’s new leaders from across the country descended to the coastal areas to support beleaguered forces of the new administration.
