Syria.. Deaths in new ambushes, Defense announces control over the coast and threatens remnants

Syrian security personnel were killed and wounded in new ambushes by remnants of the former regime. At the same time, the Ministry of Defense announced its control over the areas of tension on the coast and threatened to hold accountable anyone who committed crimes against civilians.

The Syrian News Agency reported that a security officer was killed and two others were injured when a General Security patrol was ambushed by remnants of the former regime near the city of Al-Haffa in the Latakia countryside.

A member of the Internal Security Department was also killed and three others were injured in an ambush carried out by elements of the remnants of the regime of ousted President Bashar al-Assad on the Baniyas-Tartous road, according to what Al Jazeera reported.

Ministry of Defense threatens the remnants

The Syrian Ministry of Defense announced its control over the areas of tension on the coast and called on its forces to abide by the command's instructions, and threatened those who refuse to hand over their weapons.

The ministry said that the situation in the provinces of Latakia and Tartous is under control, and that it has tightened the noose on the remaining remnants of the ousted regime in the mountainous areas of the Latakia and Tartous countryside.

The ministry called on field units to strictly adhere to the instructions of the army and security leaders, as directed by Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, and said that it is forbidden to approach any house or to harass any person inside his house except in accordance with the instructions of army officers.

The ministry stressed that it will not hesitate to hold accountable anyone proven to be involved in committing violations against civilians and attacking security forces.

These developments come in the context of a security escalation in the Syrian coastal cities, which resulted in the arrest of dozens of remnants of the ousted president's regime.

Suspension of study

In the same context, the Syrian Minister of Education announced the suspension of studies in the provinces of Tartous and Latakia on Sunday and Monday due to the security situation.

Meanwhile, SANA reported that a delegation from the Jableh region administration and the General Security arrived at the vicinity of the Russian Hmeimim base in the Latakia countryside to reassure the residents and return them to their villages.

Meanwhile, the dignitaries and sheikhs of Latakia demanded that those involved in the bloodshed, including the remnants of the regime and others on the Syrian coast, be held accountable. In a statement, they called on the Alawites to support the state in a way that preserves unity and combats foreign plots.

In Homs and its countryside, a statement was issued by civil society and members of the Syrian Alawite sect, declaring their opposition to any armed movement against the state and its apparatuses.

The statement stressed the need to maintain security and protect civilians and property through coordination between civil society, the Syrian General Security and the political leadership.

The statement stressed the rejection of hate speech and sectarian incitement and the rejection of all acts of revenge and retaliation against defenceless civilians, which could threaten national unity and civil peace.

The new attacks by militants loyal to the ousted regime come after the Syrian military and security forces announced that they had largely taken control of most of the areas that witnessed unrest in the past two days.

The coastal cities of Latakia and Tartous were considered strongholds loyal to the ousted regime leader, whose rule was overthrown by armed factions on December 8, when they reached Damascus after taking control of other cities.

Source: Al Jazeera