Syria Reports 14 Security Personnel Killed in Ambush by Assad Loyalists

Fourteen Syrian security personnel were killed in an ambush reportedly orchestrated by Assad loyalists, adding to the complexities of the nation’s ongoing conflict.

The new rebel-led authorities in Syria report that forces loyal to ousted President Bashar al-Assad have “ambushed” and killed 14 interior ministry personnel, injuring an additional 10, in the western part of the country.

According to reports, the conflict occurred near the Mediterranean port of Tartous on Tuesday.

According to reports, security forces were ambushed while attempting to arrest a former officer linked to his role at the infamous Saydnaya prison near Damascus.

Just over two weeks ago, Assad’s presidency was overtaken by rebel forces under the leadership of the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) faction.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), located in the UK, reported that three militants were also killed during the clashes.

The SOHR reported that additional reinforcements were subsequently brought in by the security forces.

Separately, state media reported that Syrian authorities have enforced an overnight curfew in the central city of Homs.

According to reports, this occurred after unrest sparked by a video allegedly depicting an attack on an Alawite shrine.

According to Syria’s interior ministry, the video is old and dates back to the rebel attack on Aleppo in late November. The acts of violence were committed by unidentified groups.

According to the SOHR, one demonstrator was killed and five others were injured in Homs.

Protests were also reported in various locations, including the cities of Tartous and Latakia, as well as Assad’s hometown of Qardaha.

The Assad family originates from the Alawite sect, a minority group to which many of the former regime’s political and military elites also belonged.

The lightning offensive initiated by HTS from Syria’s northeast rapidly extended across the nation, bringing an end to the Assad family’s rule of more than 50 years.

Assad and his family were compelled to escape to Russia.

HTS has pledged to safeguard the rights and freedoms of various religious and ethnic minorities in Syria.

HTS is recognized as a terrorist organization by the United Nations, the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, and several other entities.

Protests erupted in the country on Tuesday following a Christmas tree burning incident, leading to renewed demands for the new authorities to safeguard minority groups.

BBC