Volunteer-led aid convoys were deployed to deliver food baskets, blankets, and other essential goods to Syrians affected by violence in the coastal provinces earlier this month.
In recent weeks, Syria’s coastal region has witnessed a surge in violence, particularly in Latakia and Tartous, regions that were viewed as strongholds for the former Assad regime.
The unrest escalated when pro-Assad militants ambushed Syrian security forces near Jableh, resulting in significant casualties among government personnel.
In retaliation, fighters aligned with the new government stormed villages such as Sheer, Mukhtariyeh, and Haffah, leading to the deaths of dozens of men. Hundreds of civilians and unarmed fighters were killed in the government counter-insurgency campaign.
Following the clashes, Syrians have faced an emotional toll as their once-stable lives were torn apart by the disaster.
Hassan Salman, a resident whose house was destroyed entirely said: “I received a food basket and blankets after my home was burned to the ground.
“I can’t hide my sorrow about how things have turned out. Once I was well off, but now I am dependent on aid, which fills me with a sense of defeat and shame.”
Haitham Arous, another resident impacted by the unrest, said donors and volunteers have been key in facilitating aid distribution. “I received a basket of food containing sugar, rice, flour, and medicine,” he said.
However, despite the widespread efforts to help, some areas have seen concerns over the fairness of aid distribution.
According to a local source from the town of Jableh, there have been reports that individuals, associations, and influencers have received a disproportionate share of aid.
“Some families and organisations have received the bulk of the assistance, leaving others with very little,” the source told Al Araby Al-Jadeed.
The coastal violence has also exacerbated fears among minority groups, notably the Alawites and Druze. The Druze community, historically insular, has expressed apprehension about their status under the interim government.
The legacy of Syria’s civil war hangs over the region in other ways, with two Syrians injured by a landmine explosion on Thursday in Jabal al-Akrad in Latakia, when they were collecting scrap metal.
The explosion resulted in the amputation of one of the injured men’s legs, while the other sustained several other injuries. Both men were taken to the hospital for treatment.
At least ten people were killed last week when an unexploded ordinance exploded in Latakia city.
