Syrian forces and Assad loyalists in deadly clashes in Latakia

The Syrian forces loyal to the new government in Damascus participated in the heavy fighting with the remains of the Assad regime, which is in a coastal area in the northwest of the country.

At least 13 soldiers were killed in the clashes in Latakia Province, close to a Russian -controlled air base, according to State TV.

The curfew has been announced until Friday morning.

It is some of the most violent attacks on the forces related to the Syrian Islamic government since the fall of Bashar al -Assad in December.

Clashes continue in the coastal areas that make up the stronghold of the Alawi community, and are strongly from the Assad family.

The high activists said that their community has been subjected to violence and attacks since the fall of Assad, especially in rural areas and Latakia.

The government news agency SANA reported that “huge military reinforcements” were heading to the city of Gabelh.

Late on Thursday, the Syrian -step news agency was the headquarters of the government alignment forces had killed “about 70” former regime fighters, while more than 25 others were arrested in Gabelh and the surrounding areas.

News Agency told AFP that 28 loyal armed men of Assad were killed, citing observers, adding that government forces were using helicopters to attack targets.

BBC was unable to check the numbers.

A spokesman for the Syrian Ministry of Defense, Colonel Hassan Abdel -Ghani, issued a warning to Assad’s loyalists through the government media.

“Thousands have chosen to hand over their weapons and return to their families, while some insist on fleeing and die in defense of the killers and criminals. The choice is clear: put your weapons or confront your inevitable fate,” he said.

The region has become a major security challenge for temporary president Ahmed Al -Sharra.

He also faces resistance in the south, where there were clashes with the Druze forces in recent days.

Earlier this week, The Syrian Minister of Foreign Affairs told the newspaper “The Minister of World Chemical Weapons” The new government is committed to destroying any remaining stocks produced under the lion.

The Assad government denied the use of chemical weapons during the 14 -year civil war, but activists accused them of carrying out dozens of chemical attacks.