Clashes in Khirbet al-Ma’za Leave 14 Security Forces and 3 Militants Dead

Syria continues to grapple with escalating violence and regional instability as multiple clashes have erupted across the country. In the southern countryside of Tartous, the village of Khirbet al-Ma’za witnessed intense fighting between Syrian Public Security Forces and armed locals. The conflict left 14 security personnel and three militants dead. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the violence began when a General Security Forces patrol attempted to arrest Muhammad Kanjo Hassan, a former regime officer and ex-director of the Military Justice Department.

Hassan’s followers, along with local gunmen, resisted the arrest, setting up an ambush that resulted in significant casualties. Military reinforcements were dispatched, leading to further clashes and the burning of a security forces vehicle. The incident underscores the ongoing unrest following the December 8 overthrow of Bashar al-Assad’s regime. Opposition forces loyal to Farouk al-Sharaa have since established a caretaker government, with Qatar advocating for lifting sanctions on Syria and reopening its embassy in Damascus.

Simultaneously, in the northwestern province of Tartous, violent clashes erupted in the village of Kharbet al-Majja between armed residents and security personnel affiliated with the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)-led coalition. The confrontation began during a house search operation, sparking local resistance that escalated into the burning of an HTS vehicle. Casualties were reported on both sides, prompting the deployment of reinforcements, including special units and ambulances. The new Syrian authorities claim the armed locals are remnants of the previous regime and aim to prevent further unrest in the region’s demographically diverse areas.

Adding to the instability, Israeli forces opened fire on protesters in southern Syria’s Quneitra region. The gathering opposed Israeli settlement expansion in the Golan Heights, an area seized earlier this month that drew international condemnation. Israeli forces stated they fired warning shots when protesters approached their positions, wounding three civilians, including a child.

These incidents highlight the volatile situation in Syria, where internal conflicts and external interventions continue to fuel unrest and humanitarian concerns.