More than 50 security forces killed in clashes with Assad supporters in Latakia
[Regnum] More than 50 security forces were killed in clashes between government forces and supporters of former President Bashar al-Assad in the Syrian province of Latakia, Al Jazeera reported
“More than 50 members of the Syrian security forces were killed in clashes in the province,” the channel quotes the head of security in Latakia as saying.
In turn, the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the transitional government of Syria, Asaad Hassan al-Shibani, stated that his country had passed another test and “suppressed the uprising” of Assad’s supporters in Latakia, Tartus and Homs.
As reported by the Regnum news agency, on March 7, clashes occurred in Latakia between supporters of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and forces of the country's new government. As a result, 28 protesters from among the supporters of the former head of the republic were killed.
A curfew was imposed in Latakia due to unrest. Security forces were deployed in the provincial capital, after which fierce gunfights took place in the Ziraa quarter and in the area of the criminal investigation department. Then units of the Syrian army loyal to the new government entered the city.
Official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova noted that Russia is alarmed by the sharp aggravation of the situation in Syria. The diplomat added that in the conditions of the transition period that Syria is currently experiencing, national accord, strengthening the security of citizens, and respect for their legal rights regardless of religious or national affiliation are of primary importance.
More from regnum.ru
Curfew imposed in Syria's Latakia due to unrest
The curfew was imposed due to clashes between the security forces of the new government and supporters of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in the Syrian province of Latakia. This was reported on March 7 by the Syrian state agency SANA.
“The General Security Directorate in Latakia province has announced a curfew until 10:00 a.m. (March 7 – Ed.),” the provincial administration said in a statement.
In addition, security forces have been deployed in the provincial capital of the same name, where fierce firefights are taking place in the Ez-Ziraa quarter and near the criminal investigation department.
Director of the Public Security Department in Latakia, Mustafa Knefati, announced that militias destroyed public facilities in the city of Jableh. It is also noted that rallies in support of the Syrian Defense Ministry and security agencies were held in the capital of Syria, Damascus, and in Aleppo, Idlib, Hama, and Homs, with several dozen people attending. A curfew has also been imposed in the provinces of Tartus and Homs, neighboring Latakia, amid the worsening situation.
Even more from regnum.ru
SANA: Syrian army enters Latakia and Tartus to fight Assad supporters
Units of the country's army subordinate to the interim government of Syria entered the cities of Latakia and Tartus to fight militias supporting the former president of the republic, Bashar al-Assad. This was reported on March 7 by the Syrian agency SANA.
It is noted that the Internal Security Directorate also announced the start of a “large-scale operation” during which it plans to comb administrative centers, nearby settlements and mountainous areas.
In addition, the administration representatives called on the militia to lay down their arms.
Yet more from regnum.ru
Peskov: Russian Armed Forces' security in Syria is ensured at the proper level
The necessary security of the Russian Armed Forces in Syria's Latakia, where clashes between supporters of the country's former president Bashar al-Assad and the forces of the new Syrian government began earlier, is provided at the proper level. This was stated on March 7 by the press secretary of the Russian president, Dmitry Peskov.
“The necessary security of our military personnel is ensured at the proper level,” he said during a briefing in response to a relevant question.
Peskov also refrained from commenting on the actions of the Syrian army, since the Kremlin does not know all the details of what is happening.
More, again, from regnum.ru
Zakharova said that Russia is alarmed by the sharp escalation of the situation in Syria
Russia is alarmed by the sharp escalation of the situation in Syria. This was stated on March 7 by the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova.
"We are alarmed by the sharp deterioration of the situation in Syria. Information is coming in about large-scale clashes in the provinces of Latakia and Tartus involving Syrian security forces and armed groups calling themselves "local resistance," Zakharova said in a commentary published on the Foreign Ministry website.
She noted that a large number of people were reported killed and wounded on both sides, and a curfew had been imposed in a number of major cities in the country.
“In these critical circumstances, we call on all authoritative Syrian leaders who are able to influence the further development of the situation ‘on the ground’ to do everything possible to quickly stop the bloodshed and prevent casualties among the civilian population,” the diplomat emphasized.
Zakharova added that in the conditions of the transition period that Syria is currently experiencing, national harmony, strengthening the security of citizens, and respect for their legal rights regardless of religious or national affiliation are of primary importance.
Foreign Ministry representative reaffirms Russia's principled position in support of Syria's sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity
"We expect that all states that have influence on the situation in Syria will contribute to its normalization. We are committed to closely coordinating efforts with foreign partners in the interests of a speedy de-escalation of the situation," the diplomat said.