41 killed in clashes with Assad loyalists

  • International Desk, Barta24.com, Dhaka
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Photo: Collected

Photo: Collected

At least 41 people have been killed in clashes between fighters loyal to former President Bashar al-Assad who fled rebel attacks in Syria and security forces loyal to the country's current administration.

The British media outlet BBC reported this information on Friday (March 7).

বিজ্ঞাপন

The BBC reported that Syrian security forces loyal to the new government in Damascus clashed with remnants of the ousted Assad government in a coastal area in the northwest of the country.

The number of government soldiers among the dead was 13. A curfew has been imposed in the area following the clashes in the country's Latakia province.

বিজ্ঞাপন

At least 13 soldiers were killed in clashes near a Russian-controlled air base in Latakia province, state TV reported. A curfew was later clamped there until Friday morning. This is the most violent attack on forces loyal to the Islamist government in Syria since the fall of Bashar al-Assad in December last year.

Clashes continue in the coastal region, the heartland of the Alawite community and a stronghold of the Assad family. Alawite activists said their community has been subjected to violence and attacks since Assad's fall, especially in remote areas of Homs and Latakia.

Syrian state news agency SANA said government forces were advancing on the town of Jableh with a large military buildup following the clashes.

Earlier on Thursday night, the Syria-based Step news agency reported that pro-government forces had killed about 70 former government fighters loyal to Assad and captured more than 25 fighters in and around Jableh.

However, AFP news agency, citing observers, said 28 gunmen loyal to Assad had been killed in the clashes. It was also reported that government forces were using helicopters to attack targets. The BBC could not independently verify these figures.

Syrian Defense Ministry spokesman Colonel Hassan Abdul Ghani issued a warning to Assad loyalists via state media.

He said that thousands of people have decided to surrender their weapons and return to their families, while others are insisting on fleeing to protect murderers and criminals and facing death. Now the choice is theirs, lay down your weapons or face the inevitable consequences.

Latakia province has become a major security challenge for Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa. He is also facing resistance in the south of the country. Clashes have also occurred there in recent days between security forces.