Amid deployments by convoys of military and security forces in Latakia and Tartus | The number of fata*lities in attacks and bloody clashes exceeds 70

Latakia and Tartus cities have experienced hectic military movements, along with the deployment of convoys of the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Interior Affairs throughout the two cities, after having brought reinforcement from Homs and Idlib. Those movements coincides with a large-scale security campaign targeting members of the former regime army.

 

Meanwhile, members of the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Interior Affairs have taken control of Jableh city almost completely.

 

This follows crashing battles between the general security service and local gunmen in different areas in the Syrian coastline.

 

Since the beginning of the security campaign, the number of people who were killed in attacks and clashes between military and security forces on one hand, and local gunmen on the other, has reached 71; they are distributed as follows:

 

• 35 members of the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Interior Affairs.

 

• 32 gunmen affiliated to the former regime army.

 

• Four civilians.

 

In addition, the clashes left tens others injured, amid unconfirmed reports about more fatalities and missing people, as well as capturing members of the two conflicting powers. Furthermore, information has been reported about executing the captured gunmen and military and security members.

 

Meanwhile, members of the former regime army have been deployed in several towns and villages in the Syrian coastline, precisely the northern neighbourhoods of Baniyas city and on the road leading to Jableh.

 

Also military forces have been ambushed on Tartus-Homs highway and Baniyas-Jableh highway.

 

SOHR sources reported last night that the security campaign, which covers large swaths of Latakia countryside and the Syrian coastline, was underway. The campaign coincided with ongoing attacks and ambushes by gunmen, some of whom were members of the former Syrian regime, against security and military forces, checkpoints and headquarters in the Syrian coastline.

 

It is worth noting that the local gunmen took control of military zones, especially Astamu airbase and Al-Qardaha, where they holed up in rough areas in Latakia mountains from which they launched their attacks against military and security forces of the new government.

 

Other local gunmen also holed up in buildings in Jableh city which has experienced guerrilla attacks.

 

Moreover, the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Interior Affairs sent reinforcement from Idlib, Aleppo and Hama to Latakia countryside to support forces engaging in the current fierce battles.

 

With the dramatic developments on the ground, the general security service has announced a 24-hour curfew in Latakia, Tartus and Homs province.

 

Meanwhile, military forces regained control of almost all checkpoints and Jableh and deployed troops in the city’s surroundings.

 

Furthermore, a group of tens of security members surrendered to Russian forces stationed in Hmeimim base, after having been besieged near Hmeimim bridge for hours.