Syrian Rebels Strengthen Security Measures in Damascus

Syrian rebels ramp up security in Damascus amidst rising tensions, aiming to protect key areas as the conflict continues to unfold.

On Thursday, Syrian insurgents heightened their security protocols in Damascus following clashes between the ruling Islamists and supporters of Bashar Assad.

At the entrances of Damascus city, groups of armed insurgents were stationed.

Clashes between the Islamist forces that seized control in Syria and supporters of the former President Assad’s regime resulted in the death of six Islamic fighters on Wednesday, with several others injured, according to a UK-based war monitor.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that the fighters were killed while attempting to apprehend a former official from Assad’s government, who is accused of issuing execution orders and arbitrary rulings against thousands of prisoners.

The fighters belonged to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, who spearheaded the offensive that led to Assad’s overthrow earlier this month.

In Damascus, the capital, Alawite protesters clashed with Sunni counter-protesters, and gunfire was reported.

The details of the shooting could not be confirmed by The Associated Press.

Protests by the Alawite community were also held along Syria’s coast, as well as in the city of Homs and the rural areas around Hama.

Syria’s transition has been surprisingly smooth, although it’s only been a few weeks since Assad fled the country and his administration along with forces dissolved.

The insurgents who overthrew Assad are grounded in fundamentalist Islamist ideology. Although they have promised to establish a pluralistic system, it remains unclear how or if they intend to share power.