Dozens killed in clashes between Syrian forces and Assad loyalists
Syrian security forces and fighters from Bashar al-Assad's Alawite sect clashed in western Syria for a second consecutive day on Friday, with over a hundred people killed on both sides.
In the biggest challenge yet to the new authority in Syria since coming to power in December, Assad loyalists launched a deadly and well-planned attack on government forces on Thursday in the coastal province of Latakia, the heartland of the Alawite minority.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported on Friday that security forces had reportedly "executed" 52 Alawite men in the towns of al-Shir and al-Mukhtariya in the Latakia countryside.
The UK-based monitor said its report was based on videos it verified and testimonies provided by the victims' relatives.
While no official death toll has been released, the observatory said that at least 124 have been killed in total, including 36 security personnel, 32 gunmen loyal to Assad and four civilians.
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The violence on Thursday was mainly concentrated in Jableh, but the unrest quickly spread to other areas.
Curfews were imposed Tartus and Latakia until 9am (6am GMT) on Saturday, according to the state news agency Sana.
The agency also reported that security forces conducted sweeping operations in both cities and the surrounding mountainous areas.
On Friday, Syria's new authorities announced they were extending curfews in the coastal areas until the following morning following deadly fighting in the region, Sana said.
A security source told Reuters that reinforcements managed to enter Latakia city on Friday morning after being unable to do so the previous day due to the road being cut off.
Fighting is still ongoing on the city's outskirts, the source said, adding that security forces were working to open the road to Jableh while Assad loyalists were surrounding a number of positions in the area.
Tensions in western Syria escalated following the overthrow of Assad, whose loyalists staged clashes with Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) fighters in Tartus, Latakia and Homs in late January.
HTS, which led the operation against Assad, has conducted arrest campaigns in the region, detaining hundreds of people it says are "remnants" of the former government.
Alawite activists say their community has been subjected to violence and attacks since Assad fell, particularly in Homs and Latakia.
Members of the group have repeatedly held demonstrations in these regions, voicing their frustration over escalating insecurity and calling for an inclusive administration.
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