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| Syrian forces and Assad loyalists in deadly clashes in Latakia | Syrian forces and Assad loyalists in deadly clashes in Latakia |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Syrian forces head to Latakia after heavy clashes were reported | Syrian forces head to Latakia after heavy clashes were reported |
| Syrian forces loyal to the new government in Damascus have engaged in heavy fighting with remnants of the ousted Assad regime in a coastal area in the country's north-west. | Syrian forces loyal to the new government in Damascus have engaged in heavy fighting with remnants of the ousted Assad regime in a coastal area in the country's north-west. |
| Dozens of people have reportedly been killed in the clashes in Latakia province, close to a Russian-controlled airbase. | |
| A curfew has been announced until Friday morning. | A curfew has been announced until Friday morning. |
| They are some of the most violent attacks on forces linked to Syria's Islamist government since the fall of Bashar al-Assad in December. | They are some of the most violent attacks on forces linked to Syria's Islamist government since the fall of Bashar al-Assad in December. |
| Clashes continue in coastal areas that form the heartland of the Alawite community and are a stronghold of the Assad family. | Clashes continue in coastal areas that form the heartland of the Alawite community and are a stronghold of the Assad family. |
| State news agency Sana reported that "huge military reinforcements" were heading to the city of Jableh. | State news agency Sana reported that "huge military reinforcements" were heading to the city of Jableh. |
| Estimations of the number of people killed vary, and the BBC has been unable to independently verify them. | |
| Late on Thursday, Syrian-based Step news agency, was reporting that government-aligned forces had killed "about 70" former regime fighters, while more than 25 others were captured in Jableh and surrounds. | Late on Thursday, Syrian-based Step news agency, was reporting that government-aligned forces had killed "about 70" former regime fighters, while more than 25 others were captured in Jableh and surrounds. |
| Separately, the AFP news agency said, citing a war monitor, that a total of 48 people were killed - including 16 government security personnel, 28 pro-Assad fighters, and four civilians. | |
| There have also been reports of clashes in the cities of Homs and Aleppo. | |
| The crackle of heavy gunfire on residential streets in Homs can be heard on unverified videos on social media. | |
| A spokesman for Syria's defence ministry, Colonel Hassan Abdul Ghani, issued a warning to Assad loyalists fighting in Latakia via state media. | |
| "Thousands have chosen to surrender their weapons and return to their families, while some insist on fleeing and dying in defence of murderers and criminals. The choice is clear: lay down your weapons or face your inevitable fate," he said. | "Thousands have chosen to surrender their weapons and return to their families, while some insist on fleeing and dying in defence of murderers and criminals. The choice is clear: lay down your weapons or face your inevitable fate," he said. |
| The region has become a major security challenge for interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa. | The region has become a major security challenge for interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa. |
| Alawite activists said their community had been subjected to violence and attacks since Assad fell, particularly in rural Homs and Latakia. | |
| He is also facing resistance in the south, where there have been clashes with Druze forces in recent days. | He is also facing resistance in the south, where there have been clashes with Druze forces in recent days. |
| Earlier this week, Syria's foreign minister told the global chemical weapons watchdog that the new government was committed to destroying any remaining stockpiles produced under-Assad. | Earlier this week, Syria's foreign minister told the global chemical weapons watchdog that the new government was committed to destroying any remaining stockpiles produced under-Assad. |
| Assad's government denied ever using chemical weapons during the 14-year civil war, but activists accused it of carrying out of dozens of chemical attacks. | Assad's government denied ever using chemical weapons during the 14-year civil war, but activists accused it of carrying out of dozens of chemical attacks. |