MOSCOW, March 7. /TASS/. The Syrian army, subordinate to the new authorities, is using artillery to attack settlements in Latakia during clashes with supporters of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, a source in the province told TASS.

According to the source, civilians have taken refuge in houses, "the situation is critical."

The source said that shooting "was heard all night" in the vicinity of the city of Jableh. "It's unclear where the militias are getting their backing from," he added.

On March 6, clashes broke out in various areas of Latakia between Syrian security forces and armed groups supporting Assad. The fiercest fighting took place in Jableh, where the Alawites, representatives of the religious minority, to which the Assad family belongs, live. Russia's Khmeimim airbase is located next to Jableh.

Units of the army subordinate to the new authorities said they were entering the cities of Latakia and Tartus to fight the militias. The Department of Internal Security announced the start of a large-scale operation to combat supporters of the ex-president.