Syrian leader al-Sharaa tours former Assad strongholds on surprise visit

Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa visited Latakia and Tartus on Sunday, his office said, making his first official trip to the coastal provinces formerly known as strongholds of ousted ruler Bashar al-Assad. Despite the tour being unannounced, Sharaa’s itinerary was carefully planned and reflects his priorities in the country, FRANCE 24’s Wassim Nasr said in an analysis, citing cities including Idlib, Latakia, Tartus and Aleppo.