Syria remains one of the most protracted and complex humanitarian crises in modern history, with children bearing the heaviest burden. The ousting of former President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024 and the subsequent transition of power to President Ahmed al-Sharaa has not brought about immediate stability and Syria continues to face new waves of violence and displacement. The newly formed government faces immense challenges in restoring order, rebuilding essential services, and addressing the urgent needs of millions of vulnerable civilians—particularly the country’s displaced children.

Latakia Under Assad Rule and Continued Influence

Unlike other parts of Syria that had seen prolonged insurgencies over the years, Latakia was largely insulated from the worst of the Syrian conflict under Bashar al-Assad’s rule, particularly the coastal region. As an Assad stronghold, Latakia remained relatively stable for several reasons. The region is home to a large Alawite population, a sect to which the Assad family belongs. With the Assad family hailing from Qardaha, a town in the Latakia governorate, Assad prioritised securing the area, ensuring it remained a loyal base of support. His government deployed significant military forces to protect the region, including key coastal cities like Latakia and Tartous. The Russian military also established a naval base in Tartous and an airbase at Hmeimim (near Latakia), providing additional security and deterring opposition forces.

While some rebel groups attempted to push into Latakia’s northern countryside—especially in Jabal al-Akrad and Jabal al-Turkman—they never succeeded in capturing the major coastal cities. Assad’s forces, backed by allied militias, consistently repelled these offensives, ensuring that urban centres remained under firm government control. Given Latakia’s strategic coastal ports, which served as vital hubs for trade, military logistics, and diplomatic relations, maintaining dominance over these facilities was crucial for preserving Syria’s economic stability and military alliances, particularly with Russia and Iran.

The December 2024 Revolution in Latakia 

When mass protests erupted nationwide in late November 2024, fueled by years of economic collapse, international sanctions, and growing dissatisfaction with Assad’s governance, Latakia saw some of the earliest pro-regime counter-mobilizations. Government loyalists, backed by security forces and paramilitary groups, staged demonstrations in support of Assad. However, as the revolution gained momentum and military defections spread, the situation in Latakia quickly deteriorated.

By mid-December, as Damascus fell to opposition forces and the regime’s grip on power crumbled, Latakia became one of the last major cities to experience large-scale unrest. Elite military units and pro-Assad militias initially attempted to maintain order, but they faced growing internal fractures as defections spread within their ranks. The city’s security forces became increasingly divided, with some choosing to flee while others engaged in violent crackdowns against suspected dissidents.

In the third week of December, armed clashes between opposition fighters and remnants of pro-regime militias erupted in Latakia’s outskirts and key neighbourhoods. Rebel groups, including defected Syrian army factions and previously suppressed local opposition networks, launched coordinated offensives to seize military facilities and government buildings.

As violence erupted in Latakia, thousands of civilians attempted to flee the province, with many heading towards the Turkish border or seeking refuge in safer areas of western Syria. Displaced families faced severe shortages of food, medicine, and fuel, exacerbating the already catastrophic humanitarian crisis throughout Syria.

By the end of December 2024, with the Assad regime formally ousted and President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s interim government taking shape, Latakia remained a contested and unstable region. The province’s strategic importance meant that multiple factions—including remnants of pro-Assad militias, Russian-aligned security elements, and newly empowered opposition groups—vied for control, further deepening instability.

The Escalation of Violence in Latakia, March 2025

March 6: The First Clashes

On the evening of March 6, 2025, tensions in Latakia spiralled out of control. Assad loyalist insurgents affiliated with Suhayl al-Hasan carried series of coordinated explosions targeted government military checkpoints along the M1 Highway, killing at least 12 government soldiers, kickstarting violence that would see the the coastal region into a new epi-center of bloodshed and humanitarian suffering.

Current Humanitarian Needs and Displacement Crisis

More than 15.3 million people across Syria require humanitarian assistance, including over seven million children. Internal displacement remains one of the most pressing challenges, with 5.3 million people forcibly displaced within Syria’s borders, many of whom have been uprooted multiple times due to ongoing hostilities since the recent conflict began in 2011. The escalation of violence in key regions, including the Latakia coast, Idlib, and Deir ez-Zor, has forced families to flee their homes, often seeking refuge in overcrowded camps or informal settlements with inadequate sanitation and healthcare services.

The situation in the northwest remains particularly dire, where 4.1 million people, including 2.9 million internally displaced persons (IDPs), face multiple layers of humanitarian need. Of these, two million IDPs are living in densely packed camps, where access to clean water, sanitation, and healthcare is severely limited. In these environments, children face extreme health risks, heightened exposure to gender-based violence, and increasing rates of child labor as families struggle to survive.

In the northeast, persistent instability and restrictions on aid movement have left families isolated and without adequate assistance. Years of arbitrary detentions and security crackdowns have led to the separation of children from their families, further exacerbating vulnerabilities. Many children in detention centres remain without legal representation, and, despite international pressure, efforts to repatriate foreign children from detention camps such as Al-Hol and Roj have stalled, leaving thousands in limbo. Thousands of other children born under ISIS-controlled area still lack official documentation, leaving them stateless and without access to essential services.

The destruction of civilian infrastructure remains one of the most pressing challenges. Over 7,000 schools have been destroyed or rendered unusable, leaving 2.4 million school-aged children out of school, with an additional 1.6 million at risk of dropping out due to displacement, poverty, and security concerns. More than 40% of hospitals and health facilities are either non-functional or only partially operational, further limiting access to life-saving medical care.

Impact of Escalating Violence on Children

The outbreak of violence in recent days, particularly along the Latakia coast, has had devastating consequences for children. The region, historically a stronghold of the Assad regime control, has become the epicentre of conflict between Assad loyalists, factions within the Syrian Armed Forces, and newly formed resistance groups opposing the newly-formed Sharaa government.

Over 1,000 fatalities have been reported since January 2025, including hundreds of civilians, as targeted attacks, airstrikes, and clashes between armed groups continue. Families in Latakia and surrounding areas have been forced to flee en masse, with thousands seeking shelter in overcrowded displacement camps or makeshift settlements with little access to food, water, or sanitation. Reports indicate that some children have been forcibly recruited by armed groups, while others have been killed or maimed as a result of indiscriminate attacks.

In Idlib and Aleppo, sustained shelling and airstrikes have led to further displacement and the destruction of homes, schools, and hospitals. In the past three months alone, at least 17 health facilities in opposition-held areas have been damaged or destroyed, leaving thousands without medical assistance. The psychological toll on children has been severe, with reports of widespread trauma, night terrors, and anxiety disorders among displaced populations.

The Role of Sectarianism in the Conflict

Sectarian divisions have been a persistent and deepening factor in Syria’s crisis over the years, contributing to cycles of violence, displacement, and humanitarian suffering. The fall of the Assad regime has marked the beginning of potential reconciliation but has also heightened anxieties within communities that have suffered years of targeted violence and political marginalisation.

Many of the recent clashes, particularly in Latakia, Homs, and Deir ez-Zor, are reportedly influenced by sectarian retribution, with Sunni, Alawite, Kurdish, and Christian communities all facing acts of violence and forced displacement. Reports indicate that entire villages have been targeted for their perceived political or sectarian affiliation, forcing families to flee and seek refuge in areas controlled by armed factions aligned with their sectarian identity.

For displaced children, sectarian violence manifests in denial of access to education and healthcare, social marginalisation, and targeted recruitment by armed groups seeking to exploit existing tensions. In many parts of the country, schools are segregated along sectarian lines, and children of certain communities face threats when attempting to attend school outside their controlled zones.

Humanitarian aid has also been affected, with some factions blocking food, medicine, and essential services from reaching communities of different sectarian backgrounds. Discrimination within aid distribution has exacerbated suffering, particularly in areas where minority communities face collective punishment from dominant groups.

Continued Impact of Israel on Syria’s Humanitarian Crisis

Beyond internal conflicts and challenges, Israeli military operations in Syria continue to exacerbate the humanitarian crisis, further endangering displaced children and obstructing access to critical aid. Over the past decade, Israeli airstrikes have frequently targeted Iranian-linked military sites, key infrastructure, and Syrian army positions. Despite the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024, these attacks have not only persisted but intensified, further destabilising the country.

Since December 2024, Israel has conducted an estimated 600 airstrikes on Syrian territory. The Israeli government claims that these operations are necessary to prevent the weapons of the deposed Assad regime from falling into the hands of groups hostile to Israel.

Israeli air raids have struck multiple locations, including Damascus, Homs, Aleppo, and Deir ez-Zor, causing civilian casualties. On 2 January 2025, Israeli airstrikes on Damascus International Airport disrupted humanitarian operations, delaying the delivery of medical supplies, food, and emergency aid to communities in urgent need. The strike put the airport out of service, killed two Syrian soldiers, and wounded two others. This marked the second time in seven months that Israeli airstrikes have forced the airport’s closure; in June 2024, an attack caused significant damage to its infrastructure and runways, shutting it down for two weeks. Similar strikes on Aleppo’s airport in recent years have further hindered relief efforts, cutting off a key lifeline for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in northern Syria. Aid organisations have repeatedly urged for the protection of critical infrastructure, warning that the continued attacks on supply routes is worsening food insecurity and restricting urgent medical interventions for vulnerable civilians, including children suffering from malnutrition and preventable diseases.

Israeli military forces have also launched ground incursions in southern Syria, entering the U.N.-monitored demilitarised zone along the Syrian-Israeli border and invading border villages. While Israeli officials have described these operations as temporary security measures, concern are mounting over the potential for a prolonged military occupation in southern Syria. These provocative incursions further destabilise an already fragile region, heightening tensions and forcing more families to flee their homes.

As of March 2025, reports indicate that the new Syrian government has struggled to mitigate the impact of these airstrikes, as they have further strained an already weakened public system. The humanitarian consequences extend beyond immediate casualties and structural damage. The psychological toll on children, who are already grappling with the effects of prolonged displacement and war, is significant. Many children in IDP camps exhibit signs of chronic stress, anxiety, and post-traumatic disorders due to repeated exposure to air raids. Aid workers report that fear of future attacks has led some children to avoid temporary schools and health clinics, further limiting their access to essential services.

Despite growing international concern, diplomatic efforts to curb further escalation have seen little progress. At the Arab summit in Cairo on March 4, Syria’s new president, Farouk al-Sharaa, accused Israel of violating Syrians’ rights and reiterated Syria’s commitment to the 1974 ceasefire agreement. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed the agreement following the Assad regime’s collapse, calling for the demilitarisation of much of southern Syria. Israel has also attempted to exploit sectarian divisions by claiming to defend Syria’s Druze minority against the new government, a move that Syrian Druze and government leaders themselves rejected.

Repeated calls for humanitarian corridors and no-strike zones have been largely ignored, while the ongoing destruction of Syria’s logistical and transportation infrastructure continues to impede relief operations. Without urgent intervention, the combination of military airstrikes and increased ground operations will only deepen the suffering of Syria’s most vulnerable, especially its children.

The Impact of International Sanctions

International sanctions on Syria continue to cripple the country’s economy and limit humanitarian access. Originally imposed to pressure the Assad regime, these sanctions continue to remain in place despite the formation of a new government, disproportionately affecting civilians, particularly displaced children who now face worsening poverty, hunger, and lack of access to essential services.

Sanctions have significantly exacerbated food insecurity by restricting trade, impeding agricultural production, and driving up the cost of essential goods. As of March 2025, more than 12.1 million Syrians—over half of the country’s population—are food insecure, with millions of children suffering from acute malnutrition. Sanctions on banking and financial transactions have made it increasingly difficult for humanitarian organizations to import food supplies, while domestic food production has been disrupted by economic instability, fuel shortages, and the destruction of farmland during years of conflict. With limited access to affordable food, many families are resorting to extreme measures to survive, including skipping meals and removing children from school to work.

Syria’s healthcare system is on the brink of collapse, as international sanctions block the import of critical medical supplies and restrict access to life-saving medications. Hospitals across the country face severe shortages of essential medicines, surgical equipment, and diagnostic tools, leaving doctors unable to provide adequate care for their patients. The impact is particularly severe for children, as shortages of vaccines and antibiotics have led to a resurgence of preventable diseases. 

Sanctions have also contributed to the collapse of Syria’s energy infrastructure, resulting in severe fuel shortages and prolonged electricity blackouts. Many areas receive only a few hours of electricity per day, while some regions have been cut off from power entirely. Without a stable energy supply, hospitals struggle to maintain life-saving operations; incubators for newborns fail, vital medical equipment remains non-functional and medical logistics are complicated, as ambulance services and refrigeration for medicines are frequently disrupted by fuel shortages. The energy crisis has also led to a severe water shortage, as water treatment plants and pumping stations rely on electricity and fuel to operate. With water infrastructure crippled, many communities are forced to rely on untreated water sources, leading to a rise in waterborne diseases. Children are particularly vulnerable, with rising rates of dehydration, malnutrition-related illnesses, and hygiene-related infections.

While exemptions exist in theory for humanitarian aid, in practice, international banking restrictions and overcompliance with sanctions by financial institutions make it extremely difficult for NGOs to transfer funds or procure necessary supplies for aid operations. Many humanitarian agencies face delays or outright denial of access to the financial networks required to purchase food, medical supplies, and other essentials. When supplies are available, fuel restrictions severely hamper the ability of aid convoys to reach remote and conflict-affected areas, further isolating vulnerable populations.

Despite the end of the Assad regime, there has been no meaningful reassessment of the impact of sanctions on Syria’s civilian population. International humanitarian organisations have repeatedly urged for a more targeted approach that holds war criminals accountable without punishing innocent civilians. The continued economic strangulation of Syria is preventing the country from rebuilding, worsening displacement, and creating long-term instability that will have regional repercussions.

The Path Forward: Urgent Actions and Humanitarian Priorities

Syria’s displaced children remain among the most vulnerable populations in the world, facing extreme risks due to violence, displacement, sectarianism, economic hardship, and international sanctions. Without urgent intervention, their situation will continue to deteriorate. Immediate action is required to:

• Ensure safe and sustained humanitarian access to all areas of need, particularly in conflict-affected regions like Latakia, Idlib, and Aleppo.

• Expand protection programs to address the alarming rise in sectarian violence, child exploitation, forced recruitment, and gender-based violence.

• Lift or adjust sanctions to allow for humanitarian exemptions that ensure medical supplies, food, and essential infrastructure materials can be imported without delay.

• Promote inter-sectarian dialogue and reconciliation efforts to prevent further division and violence.

Without swift and comprehensive action, Syria’s children will continue to suffer the consequences of a crisis that has already robbed them of their safety, education, and future.