Dutch Foreign Minister concerned about rising violence in Syria's northwest

Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp expressed concern over reports of escalating violence in Syria’s northwest, marking the fiercest fighting in the region since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime late last year. In a post on X (formerly Twitter) late Friday, Veldkamp confirmed that supporters of the ousted regime are fighting against the new government in the area.

The fighting has intensified in the coastal region, where Assad loyalists are resisting the authority of the newly established government. The clashes have resulted in significant casualties and are raising alarms about the stability of the region.

Veldkamp also reported that the Dutch Special Representative for Syria recently visited Damascus, where they called on all parties to end the violence. The representative’s visit reportedly underscored the urgency of de-escalation and dialogue among conflicting groups in the region.

Earlier this week, Veldkamp himself communicated with the foreign minister of Syria’s interim government, urging the respect of all communities within Syria. He specifically highlighted the need to protect Christians, Kurds, Alawites, and Druze, which represent the diverse makeup of Syrian society.

Reports from the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights indicate that Syrian security forces have executed dozens of Alawite community members. The Alawites, a Shiite minority, are aligned with the former president Assad, reportedly further complicating the dynamics of the ongoing conflict.