Most violent attack ever since fall of Al-Assad regime | 16 members of general security service and members of Ministry of Defence killed in rural Latakia

Latakia province: 16 members of the general security service and members of the Ministry of Defence, mostly from Idlib province, were killed in the past few hours in ambushes and attacks by groups of gunmen led by a regional power in Jableh and Latakia countryside.

 

This is the most violent and bloodiest attack ever against security and military forces since the fall of the former regime. Meanwhile, unconfirmed fatalities and missing people have been reported, as clashes are still underway in Jableh countryside.

 

On the other hand, three gunmen at least of those groups were killed in clashes with security forces.

 

In the same context, crowds of young men, some of whom carrying weapons, have gathered in squares in Idlib city, expressing their support to the military command in their battle against the gunmen who are backed and led by a regional power in Latakia countryside.

 

Also, imams of mosques called upon people, via loudspeakers, to go out for Jihad against gunmen in the Syrian coastline.

 

Moreover, demonstrations supporting the security campaign against those gunmen have been staged in the Syrian coastline.

 

Earlier today, the villages of Harf Al-Sari, Ba’badah, Duwayr Ba’badah, Al-Daliyah, Wadi Al-Qal’a and Beit Aana came under artillery and rocket fire by forces of the Military Operations Administration stationed in the naval academy.

 

Also, helicopters attacked positions in Beit Aana village, amid frequent flights by reconnaissance drones over the region.

 

SOHR sources had reported that the pace of military operations has escalated in Jabblah countryside in Latakia province, where helicopter attacked  Beit Aana village from the direction of Ma’areen village.

 

This coincided with artillery fire on Dweir Ba’abda village, where explosions were heard in the region, causing a state of panic among civilians

 

SOHR sources also reported that Beit Aana village and Al-Daliyeh district in Jabblah countryside in Latakia province witnessed a security operation launched by the Internal Security Forces, after a local armed group had attacked a patrol of Internal Security patrol in Beit Ana.

 

Three shells hit the vicinity of the region, where explosions were heard and the telecommunications network was cut off.

 

This coincided with artillery fire amid ongoing clashes with machineguns between security forces and local armed groups. However, no casualties were reported.

 

 Internal Security Forces brought in military convoys of nearly 20 vehicles, some equipped with ‘DShK’ machineguns and armored vehicles, amid reports about  continued arrival of additional reinforcement, as part of a security campaign targeting wanted individuals.

 

According to reliable SOHR sources, the residents refused to hand over anyone without being presented with a search warrant or an official document, which led to clashes with security forces. The situation escalated to gunfire being shot into the air to disperse the crowds.

 Meanwhile, a suspect man accused of arms trafficking was arrested during the operation.