Syrian president calls for peace amid ongoing violence

Syria's interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, called for peace on Sunday amid ongoing clashes that have resulted in hundreds of deaths. This violence is the worst since the fall of Bashar al-Assad. The fighting involves forces linked to the new Islamist rulers and fighters loyal to Assad's Alawite sect. Security sources reported that at least 200 security personnel were killed in recent attacks. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights noted that the recent violence in coastal areas marks one of the worst escalations in the 13-year civil conflict. Clashes continue in several towns, with armed groups targeting security forces.