AANES Blames Damascus for Coastal Escalation, Calls for National Dialogue

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – The Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) has placed full responsibility on the Syrian government for the recent escalation of violence in the country’s coastal region, which has resulted in dozens of casualties.

In a strongly worded statement issued on Friday, AANES accused Damascus of failing to recognize Syria’s diverse social and political reality, warning that continued violence could lead to further fragmentation and deepen the suffering of the Syrian people.

The statement from AANES attributed the current crisis to what it described as "Damascus’ misreading of the Syrian reality" and its reluctance to acknowledge the country’s complex ethnic and sectarian fabric.

According to AANES, the Syrian government’s centralized approach and disregard for regional diversity have fueled tensions and led to a dangerous escalation in the coastal areas, where clashes have intensified between pro-government forces and military factions operating in the region.

The escalation comes amid ongoing military operations by Syrian security forces to consolidate control over Latakia, Tartous, and surrounding regions. The government has deployed reinforcements from Homs and Idlib, conducting large-scale security campaigns to eliminate what it claims are remnants of the former regime’s military factions and other armed groups resisting state authority.

Reports indicate that since the beginning of the conflict, at least 71 people have been killed, including 35 members of the Ministry of Defense and Ministry of Interior Affairs, 32 gunmen affiliated with the former regime’s army, and four civilians caught in the crossfire.

The rising death toll has sparked concerns that the situation could spiral into a larger conflict, further destabilizing an already fragile Syria.

AANES reiterated its stance that military escalations will only exacerbate Syria’s divisions and prolong its suffering. In its statement, the administration called on all parties to halt hostilities and engage in meaningful dialogue, warning that the alternative would be another devastating chapter of violence in Syria’s protracted conflict.

"We firmly believe that this escalation stems from Damascus’ incorrect assessment of the Syrian reality and its failure to acknowledge the country’s sensitive and diverse ethnic and sectarian composition. Such escalations push our country to the brink of disaster and may lead to massacres against the Syrian people," the statement read.

AANES emphasized the urgency of a genuine national dialogue, arguing that Syria needs an inclusive political solution that respects the rights and aspirations of all its communities. The administration stressed that only through political discourse can Syria overcome its contradictions and set a course toward stability.