Dozens killed in clashes between Syrian forces and Assad loyalists

Forces linked to Syria’s new rulers have engaged in heavy preventing with fighters loyal to deposed President Bashar al-Assad in a coastal space of the nation.

It’s the worst violence in Syria since rebels toppled Assad in December and put in an Islamist transitional authorities.

A battle monitoring group, the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, mentioned greater than 70 individuals have been killed.

A curfew has been imposed within the port cities of Latakia and Tartous, the place the preventing has damaged out.

The clashes began when authorities forces have been ambushed throughout a safety operation in Latakia.

Reinforcements have been despatched, and movies posted on-line present heavy gunfire in some locations.

The coastal area is the heartland of the Alawite minority, and a stronghold of the Assad household.

Estimations of the variety of individuals killed within the violence fluctuate, and the BBC has been unable to independently confirm them.

Late on Thursday, Syrian-based Step information company was reporting that government-aligned forces had killed “about 70” former regime fighters, whereas greater than 25 others have been captured in Jableh and surrounds.

There have additionally been stories of clashes within the cities of Homs and Aleppo.

The crackle of heavy gunfire on residential streets in Homs may be heard on unverified movies on social media.

A spokesman for Syria’s defence ministry, Colonel Hassan Abdul Ghani, issued a warning to Assad loyalists preventing in Latakia through state media.

“1000’s have chosen to give up their weapons and return to their households, whereas some insist on fleeing and dying in defence of murderers and criminals. The selection is obvious: lay down your weapons or face your inevitable destiny,” he mentioned.

The area has develop into a serious safety problem for interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa.

Alawite activists mentioned their group had been subjected to violence and assaults since Assad fell, notably in rural Homs and Latakia.

He’s additionally dealing with resistance within the south, the place there have been clashes with Druze forces in latest days.

Earlier this week, Syria’s international minister instructed the worldwide chemical weapons watchdog that the brand new authorities was dedicated to destroying any remaining stockpiles produced under-Assad.

Assad’s authorities denied ever utilizing chemical weapons through the 14-year civil battle, however activists accused it of finishing up of dozens of chemical assaults.