The Syrian Government is still facing the rebellious threat of Assad’s loyalists

In January, days after the first anniversary of the fall of the Assad regime in Svetkavitsa, led by Islamist rebels in Syria, a group of young men gathered – some of them – armed – checked their phones at the almost empty Central Ministry of the interior in Damascus.

With the disappearance of Bashar al-Assad, they had arrived from Idlib, a region in the northwestern part of the country, which had been only province controlled by opposition in the country.

In practice, overnight they were catapulted in positions that were once controlled by the selected hand -supporters of Assad and, led by Ahmad al -Sharaa, were responsible for a destroyed country devastated for 13 years of civil warS

One of them, about 30 years old, was recently appointed a security officer in a high place and greeted me in a room where some sign of the old regime was removed. Tall and shy, the official formal has made notes on their iPad, while admitting that the new rulers are facing huge security challenges, including the threat coming from Assad’s loyalists.

Thehe Dismantling the apparatus of decades behind the Assads oppressive machineLike the army of the country and the ruling Baat Party, it meant the dismissal of hundreds of thousands of people.

“There are associated with Assad people who have not dealt with the reconciliation process,” said the employee who asked for anonymity to discuss sensitive issues, citing the call of new authorities to former security forces to hand over their weapons and connections to the old government.

“Our eyes are directed at everyone, but we don’t want to give the impression that we are after them. That is why there were no massive raids.”

Since then, violence has escalated, especially in the coastal provinces of Latakia and Tartous, the Assad family fortress, but the clashes were relatively contained. Until Thursday.

As the government -related forces conducted an operation in the province of Latakia, aimed at a former Assad employee, they were planted by artillerymen.

At least 13 members of the Security Forces have been killed, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, based in the UK monitoring a group, in what a regional employee described as a well-planned attack by “remnants of Assad militias”.

Initially restricted to the Jabeh area, the excitement spread more widespread. Videos published online showed heavy shooting in different areas. Authorities have sent reinforcements and more than 120 people have killed more clashes on Friday, the Syrian observatory reported.

It noted the most common day of the fall of Assad And the biggest challenge so far, the transitional government of President Sharaa and his efforts to consolidate authority.

According to the War Study InstituteA research group, former members of the Assad regime, is likely to form the most effective rebels against the new rulers of Syria with the ability to coordinate attacks.

“(They) already have existing networks that can use to quickly organize rebellious cells. These networks are military, intelligence and political networks and criminal unions that have been supporters of the regime and have lost significant economic and political influence after the fall of Assad,” a report said.

Coastal regions of Syria are also the heart of Assad Alawite minority, Shiite Islam’s shootS Its members played prominent roles in the Assad government, but with the arrival of Sunni -led rebels, they lost the power and privilege they had ever had. They now say they are attacking and discrimination, despite Sharah’s promises to observe various religious sects.

On Friday, activists said artillery had killed dozens of men in the Alavit regionsWhich will further exacerbate the tension and will eventually lead to support for rebels in their anti-government impetus. The Syrian observatory said the artillerymen are from the government forces, although this has not been checked.

Authorities also encountered Druza’s resistance to the south, although a deal was achieved earlier this week

The government in Damascus does not control all Syria, where different factions – supported by different countries – exercise power in different regions.

But for Shara, the challenge goes beyond the task of trying to keep the country safe.

As Western suspicions of his intentions continue, his authorities are also struggling to obtain crippling sanctions imposed on Syria in the abolition of the former regime, a vital move to revive the economy of a country where nine in every 10 people are poverty.