BEIRUT, March 7. /TASS/. The Syrian government has reinforced security forces to the city of Jableh in Latakia Governorate, close to Russia’s Khmeimim airbase, to fight gunmen loyal to the former president of the republic, Bashar Assad, Al Arabiya reported.

Deadly clashes are taking place in the city, according to the TV channel.

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.

Security forces said the gunmen involved in the clashes were linked to former special forces commander Suhayl Hasan. At least 15 Syrian security officials have been killed in the fighting, according to Al Jazeera.

Curfews have been imposed in the governorates of Latakia, Tartus, and Homs due to the ongoing clashes, which have become the most intense since the country’s shift of power in December 2024.