Breaking News: Clashes in Syria‘s Tartus Province Leave 17 Dead in Attempt to Detain President Al-Asad’s Security Official
In a violent turn of events, the Syrian province of Tartus has witnessed the loss of 17 lives as new regime security forces attempted to apprehend a high-ranking security official of the outgoing Bashar al-Asad government. This was confirmed by the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR).
The skirmishes in Hirbet al Maaza claimed the lives of 14 members of the temporary government’s General Security forces and three armed men, according to the statement. Early reports had initially reported nine fatalities.
The targeted official, who was not identified, is believed to be among those responsible for crimes committed in the notorious Saidnaya prison, SOHR reported. He held the positions of director of the military justice department and chairman of the field court.
"What started as a raid turned into a bloody confrontation when local residents refused to let security forces search their homes," said the SOHR statement. Interior Minister Mohammed Abderrahman also confirmed the attack, adding that 14 of his ministry’s employees were killed and 10 more were injured in what he described as a terrorist assault.
Tartus, predominantly populated by Alawites, a Shiite offshoot that also includes outgoing President Bashar al-Asad, has been relatively calm compared to other parts of Syria. However, the tide seems to be turning as the country transitions to a new power structure.
