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DOZENS of people have been killed after soldiers loyal to exiled tyrant Bashar al-Assad launched a surprise ambush against Syria’s new rulers.
Ongoing clashes between the two sides have marked the worst violence since Assad’s brutal regime was toppled by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) in December.
Fighting broke out when Assad loyalists ambushed military forces after they tried to detain a wanted person near the coastal city of Jableh.
A civilian witness called the attack “planned and prepared”, saying that the gunmen were firing “indiscriminately” at civilians.
Mustafa Kneifati, a security official in Latakia, said: “Several groups of Assad militia remnants attacked our positions and checkpoints, targeting many of our patrols.”
Syria’s new security forces have since carried out extensive campaigns seeking to root out Assad loyalists from his former bastions.
More than 200 people have been killed since the fighting broke out, according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
In addition to around 140 killed in apparent revenge attacks in the villages, the dead include at least 50 members of Syria’s government forces and 45 fighters loyal to Assad.
Forces loyal to the new government stormed the villages of Sheer, Mukhtariyeh and Haffah near the coast, killing 69, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
Beirut-based Al-Mayadeen TV also reported the attacks on the three villages, saying that more than 30 men were killed in the village of Mukhtariyeh alone.
Another 60 people were killed in the town of Baniyas, including women and children, the observatory said.
Syria’s state news agency SANA reported that many fighters went to the coast seeking revenge for recent attacks on government security forces.
The official said the actions “led to some individual violations and we are working on stopping them”.
A curfew has now been imposed until Saturday in the coastal provinces of Latakia and Tartus.
Local media reported that a security operation was launched in Assad’s hometown of Qardaha, near Latakia, “against loyalists of the former regime.”
Damascus also sent reinforcements to the coastal cities of Latakia and Tartus and nearby villages that are home to Assad’s minority Alawite sect and make up his longtime base of support.
Under Assad, Alawites held top posts in the army and security agencies.
The new government has blamed his loyalists for attacks against the country’s new security forces over the past several weeks.
There have also been some attacks against Alawites in recent weeks
The civil war that has been raging in Syria since March 2011 has left more than half a million people dead and millions displaced.
The new government has pledged to unite Syria after 14 years of civil war.
Dozens of exiled fighters from the militant Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) launched a surprise offensive against Vladimir Putin’s ally President Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December.
This marked the conclusion of a regime notorious for its brutality, including chemical attacks, mass detentions, and the decimation of Syrian cities.
But challenges remain as Syrians celebrate, but hopes rise for a democratic future after years of war.
His fall not only signals the collapse of a dynastic dictatorship but also underscores the cost of clinging to power through terror.
Bashar al-Assad has left behind a shattered nation.
He decimated Syria’s infrastructure, fractured its society, and plunged millions into despair.
Assad’s rule over Syria ended in dramatic fashion after rebel forces stormed Damascus in a surprise offensive, forcing the dictator to flee to Russia.
This marked the conclusion of a regime notorious for its brutality, including chemical attacks, mass detentions, and the decimation of Syrian cities.
His life took a dramatic turn in 1994 when his elder brother, Bassel, the family’s chosen heir, died in a car accident.
Bashar was abruptly recalled to Syria and groomed for power.
Initially, hope stirred for reform as Bashar promised modernisation, anti-corruption measures, and political openness.
But the so-called “Damascus Spring” was short-lived.
Within a year, Assad cracked down on dissenters, signalling the beginning of his authoritarian rule.
The Assad regime quickly devolved into a kleptocracy, with Assad and his extended family siphoning wealth while suppressing opposition.
The Syrian Civil War became a geopolitical quagmire.
Assad, backed by Russia and Iran, portrayed himself as a bulwark against terrorism while cynically releasing jihadist prisoners to bolster extremist factions.
This fuelled the rise of groups like ISIS, reshaping global terror.
The end of Assad’s reign came abruptly in December 2024, as rebel forces launched a lightning offensive, exploiting weakened Syrian defences.
Rebels captured Damascus in a lightning campaign, declaring the capital “free” and marking the end of years of brutal authoritarian rule.
With Russia mired in Ukraine and Iran preoccupied with regional conflicts, Assad’s regime was left vulnerable.
Rebels stormed Aleppo, marking a symbolic victory, and Assad fled Damascus.
Assad left aboard a military plane amid rumours of its crash before resurfacing in Moscow, where Vladimir Putin granted him asylum.
It comes as an apparent Russian conspiracy to distribute false news about an al-Assad ‘aircraft accident’ has been exposed.
The Ukrainian Centre for Strategic Communication and Information Security claimed on X that Russia “hid their trail” in assisting al-Assad’s escape by circulating fake claims that he died in a crash.
Meanwhile, opposition forces took control of key cities, toppled Assad’s statues, and announced plans for a transitional government.
The fall of Assad deals a blow to allies Russia and Iran, with both withdrawing assets from Syria.
ACTRESS Sydney Sweeney rings the changes as she poses for an office shoot.
The US star, 27, who has recently dyed her blonde hair darker, reclines on the floor while she pretends to make a landline phone call.
Sydney also leans back on a desk and stretches a leg out on a chair in photos for footwear brand HeyDude’s latest campaign.
The White Lotus star believes comfy shoes are the most important part of an outfit.
She said: “I always believe that when you feel comfortable and confident, that is when you’re going to feel beautiful.
“I feel the most beautiful when I am confidently myself.”
She is engaged to businessman Jonathan Davino, 41, with the pair packing on PDA in a recent loved-up snap which left her fans gutted.
Sweeney and Davino met in 2018, and the couple got engaged in February 2022.
The smitten duo produce films together, including last year’s summer smash hit Anyone but You.
Sydney, who stars in Euphoria, has branded her future husband her “producing partner” and said it’s great to work with someone who knows her well.
The pair are said to be planning a small and intimate wedding in Chicago in the summer, although nothing is confirmed.
EUROVISION UK entry Remember Monday have a secret TV past after wowing the judges on The Voice six years ago.
The UK’s Eurovision hopefuls are ready to take Europe by storm but it turns out this isn’t their first shot at fame.
The pop-country trio, made up of Charlotte Steele, Lauren Byrne, and Holly-Anne Hull, were revealed as the UK’s entry with their song What The Hell Just Happened?
And eagle-eyed fans might remember seeing Remember Monday on TV before.
Back in 2019, the band made all four judges turn their chairs on The Voice UK with a stunning blind audition performance of Seal’s Kiss From A Rose.
They made it all the way to the quarter-finals, mentored by Jennifer Hudson, who was so impressed she even invited them onto her US talk show last year.
The trio first met in sixth form in Farnborough, Hampshire, in 2013 and originally called themselves Houston.
They later changed their name to Remember Monday because they used to sing together during their Monday free periods.
But Holly’s brush with fame started even earlier — at 13, she won a Disney Channel talent show called My Camp Rock and landed a record deal, but was later dropped by the label.
Despite the setbacks, the girls chased their dreams individually too — Holly starred in Phantom of the Opera and Les Misérables, Lauren lit up the stage in Six: The Musical and Matilda, and Charlotte made her West End debut aged ten as Jane Banks in Mary Poppins before working as a vocal coach and choreographer.
In 2023, the trio decided to go all in, quitting their solo careers to focus on Remember Monday full-time.
Speaking about their Eurovision entry, they told The Sun “What The Hell Just Happened is exactly how we’re feeling right now! It’s all very surreal.
“Our friendship goes so far back, and we definitely never imagined that we’d be doing anything like this.
“When you’re a kid and people ask you what you want to be when you grow up, an absolute classic is, ‘I wanna be a pop star’.
“So the fact that we’re getting the chance to live that dream as three best friends is just wild.
“We’re going to be the first girlband to represent the UK since 1999, which feels like such a crazy honour.”
The song — co-written with Billen Ted (who’ve worked with Little Mix and Anne-Marie) and Thomas Stengaard (who wrote Denmark’s 2013 Eurovision-winning hit Only Teardrops) — has already been compared to Abba and rising star Chappell Roan.
The girls have built a loyal following online, with over 500,000 TikTok followers, and played their first sold-out tour last year.
But despite their determination, the odds aren’t exactly in their favour.
William Hill is offering 20/1 for them to win, while Ladbrokes is even less optimistic at 33/1.
Still, with a powerful song, a decade-long friendship, and a knack for making an impression, Remember Monday are ready to give it their all in Basel, Switzerland, on May 17.
VOGUE Williams has left her fans gushing after she posted a series of adorable snaps of her kids.
The Irish podcaster shares three kids with her reality star husband Spencer Matthew – Theodore, five, Gigi, four and Otto, two.
Vogue and Spencer are renowned for sharing snippets into their lives as they raise their three kids.
And yesterday, to mark World Book Day, Vogue shared the cutest snaps of her kids all dressed up for the occasion.
Vogue’s eldest, Theodore, tried to scare his sister, as he dressed up as a spider – likely a reference to the children’s book Charlotte’s Web.
Vogue’s daughter Gigi dressed up as the titular Little Mermaid, from Hans Christian Andersen’s aforementioned children’s novel.
While Vogue’s youngest Otto looked adorable dressed up as the grotesque monster from Julia Donaldson’s, The Gruffalo.
Sharing her kids’ costumes with fans, Vogue said: “World Book Day! We are massive on books in our house so today was a lot of fun.
“We never had this when we were younger, but I would have loved it. Everyone was dressed up at school, including the teachers… I reckon I’ll have to dress up next year!”
Friends and fans raced to her comment section to gush over the kids dressed up in their costumes.
Patricia remarked: “Your children are so pretty. I love the way they always look like they are best buddies.”
Virginia commented: “Oh my god the cuteness! Adorable.”
Another fan added: “Aww so cute.”
Recently, Vogue and her family enjoyed a luxurious holiday on the slopes.
The 39-year-old has been sharing exclusive snippets and snaps of their trip on Instagram, and it’s safe to say she looks incredible.
Of course, Vogue isn’t just wearing any old ski suit on the mountains and has taken the opportunity to show off her toned abs.
The podcaster looked sensational in one photo as she donned a small bright pink bikini while wearing her ski boots.
Vogue also wore a striped towel on her head and a pair of cool, chunky black sunglasses to create a more edgy look.
The mum-of-three joked in her caption: “I may have brought four ski suits on holiday, but it was too hot, so I just wore my bikini.”
And fans all ran to the comment section to swoon over the star’s incredible figure.
Rose wrote: “This is iconic.”
