BEIRUT, March 10, 2025 (BSS/TASS) - The death toll among civilians from clashes between the new Syrian government's security forces and armed supporters of former President Bashar Assad in the Latakia, Tartus and Homs governorates has risen to 830, the Iraqi news portal Shafaq news reported.

According to the news portal, most of the victims belong to the Alawite community, which makes up 12% of the country's population.

The Syrian interim government's forces have regained control over costal areas and are chasing pro-Assad armed groups in mountain areas. More than 250 militants have been killed in the course of the operation since March 6. Government forces lost 231 troops.

These clashes are the biggest challenge that the transitional government in Damascus has faced since the change of power in December 2024.

The office of Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa said earlier that an independent committee of seven members had been set up to investigate the circumstances of the outburst of violence in the coastal governorates. The committee is tasked to investigate "crimes against civilians," "attacks on government institutions, army and security officers," identify the perpetrators and bring charges against them. The new committee will also probe into the "causes, circumstances and conditions that have led to these developments."