Battle in Latakia is marked escalation by Bashar al-Assad loyalists against Syria’s new Islamist-led governmentSyrian security forces have battled Assad regime loyalists on Syria’s coast for a second day, as the country’s new government struggled to contain the biggest rebellion to its rule since it took power in December.Fighters loyal to the ousted Assad government ambushed Syrian security forces in a coordinated attack on Thursday afternoon in the countryside of Latakia province, a former stronghold of the deposed leader where many of Syria’s minority Alawite Islamic sect live. Continue reading...
Syrian security forces and Assad loyalists are battling in Latakia, marking the deadliest day since the Assad regime was toppled three months prior. Approximately 125 civilians were executed by government security forces during a two-day battle. The Syrian Network for Human Rights documented large-scale field executions. The government mobilized troops and launched a military operation, including attacks with helicopter gunships, drones and artillery. The interior ministry acknowledged "individual violations". Military columns headed towards Latakia to quell the rebellion.
