Iraq Warns of Worsening Instability as Violence Escalates in Syria

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – The Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs has expressed deep concern over the ongoing security developments in Syria, warning that the escalation of violence poses a serious threat to regional stability.

In an official statement, the ministry reaffirmed Iraq’s firm stance on the need to protect civilians and spare them from the consequences of conflict. It stressed the importance of “restraint from all parties, prioritizing dialogue, and adopting peaceful solutions instead of military escalation.”

The ministry also condemned attacks targeting innocent civilians, emphasizing that “the continuation of violence will only deepen instability in the region, hindering efforts to restore security and peace.”

Appeal for International Action

Reiterating its position, the Iraqi Foreign Ministry urged the international community to intensify efforts to end the humanitarian crisis in Syria and support political solutions that ensure the country’s unity and safeguard its people.

Humanitarian Toll and Escalation in Latakia and Tartus

The statement comes amid alarming reports from the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), which highlighted a sharp rise in civilian casualties due to intensified clashes between the Syrian National Army and remnants of the Assad regime in northwestern Syria.

According to SOHR, 68% of those killed in recent violence were civilians, many of whom were deliberately targeted by the Syrian National Army. The fighting, concentrated in Latakia and Tartus provinces, has seen indiscriminate shelling of villages, with entire communities caught in the crossfire.

The violence has devastated several areas across Latakia governorate, with heavy civilian casualties reported. In Qrfis village, 22 civilians were killed, while 24 lost their lives in al-Sher village due to attacks by Syrian defense and internal forces. The village of Mukhtariya saw 38 civilians killed, with an additional seven fatalities in the Haffa area. Meanwhile, in Baniyas city, 60 individuals, including 10 women and 5 children, were gunned down by Syrian security forces.

Political and Social Ramifications

The conflict has also claimed the lives of prominent figures, such as Sheikh Shaaban Mansour, a well-known Alawite cleric aged nearly 90, who was assassinated alongside his son in the Hama countryside. The Syrian government, which has been conducting widespread security operations, has yet to comment on the killing.

Meanwhile, casualty reports indicate that 34 members of the Syrian National Army and Internal Security Forces were killed in clashes, while 42 armed militants lost their lives in battles across Latakia’s rural areas and Jableh.

As violence intensifies, concerns are mounting over the growing humanitarian crisis and the potential for further instability across Syria and the wider region. Iraq’s warning underscores fears that continued escalation could spill over, exacerbating security challenges for neighboring countries.