The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights has reported that clashes between Bashar al-Assad’s loyalists and the country’s security forces have resulted in over 1,000 deaths within two days. The conflict began last Thursday in Latakia province, with casualties including 745 civilians, 125 security personnel, and 148 Assad loyalists. Rami Abdul Rahman stated that the violence in Alawite strongholds such as Jableh and Baniyas marks one of the deadliest escalations in Syria’s 13-year-long civil war.