Violent clashes in the Latakia countryside leave several dead

Violent clashes erupted between Syrian Internal Security Forces and members of the Saraya al-Jawad militia near the city of Jableh in the Latakia countryside, resulting in the deaths of four people.

According to reports, the dead include a member of the Internal Security Forces, a prominent militia commander, and two of its leaders.

The clashes coincided with the shelling of a house with a 23mm cannon, killing four civilians inside. Several other houses in the villages of Mazra'at al-Shazriqa, Tell Huwayri, and Kankaru were also damaged as a result of the exchange of fire.

During the security operation, a man named Jaafar Shiha managed to cover his escape with cover fire, taking advantage of the dense fog. Security forces apprehended him minutes later after a chase.

Last January, the Syrian Interior Ministry announced that it had carried out security campaigns in the Latakia Governorate and the Masyaf area in the Hama countryside, which resulted in the arrest of wanted individuals involved in "terrorist acts," in addition to the arrest of a former arms official accused of committing serious crimes against civilians.