World
Assad supporters have rebelled: there are casualties as a result of armed clashes
Heavy clashes have broken out between security forces and supporters of former President Bashar al-Assad in Syria's Latakia province, where a Russian air base is located.
According to the BBC, the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said at least 70 people had been killed in the clashes. The organization said these were the bloodiest clashes since December.
The victims included security personnel, fighters loyal to Assad, and civilians.
The Syrian Step news agency reported that authorities had "neutralized 70 former fighters of the ousted regime" and captured more than 25 people.
The Internal Security Directorate said it was conducting a "large-scale operation" in administrative centers, neighboring cities, and mountainous regions. The authorities called on supporters of the former president to lay down their arms.
