BBC: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Syrian forces loyal to the new government in Damascus have engaged in heavy fighting with remnants of the ousted Assad regime in a coastal area in the country’s north-west.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dozens of people have reportedly been killed in the clashes in Latakia province, close to a Russian-controlled airbase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A curfew has been announced until Friday morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They are some of the most violent attacks on forces linked to Syria’s Islamist government since the fall of Bashar al-Assad in December.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Clashes continue in coastal areas that form the heartland of the Alawite community and are a stronghold of the Assad family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
State news agency Sana reported that “huge military reinforcements” were heading to the city of Jableh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Estimations of the number of people killed vary, and the BBC has been unable to independently verify them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The AFP news agency said more than 70 people had been killed and dozens wounded, citing the British-based war monitor Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Separately, late on Thursday Syrian-based Step news agency was reporting that government-aligned forces had killed “about 70” former regime fighters, while more than 25 others were captured in Jableh and surrounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There have also been reports of clashes in the cities of Homs and Aleppo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crackle of heavy gunfire on residential streets in Homs couldbe heard on unverified videos on social media.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A spokesman for Syria’s defence ministry, Colonel Hassan Abdul Ghani, issued a warning to Assad loyalists fighting in Latakiavia state media.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Thousands have chosen to surrender their weapons and return to their families, while some insist on fleeing and dying in defence of murderers and criminals. The choice is clear: lay down your weapons or face your inevitable fate,” he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The region has become a major security challenge for interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alawite activists said their community had been subjected to violence and attacks since Assad fell, particularly in rural Homs and Latakia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He is also facing resistance in the south, where there have been clashes with Druze forces in recent days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n