Syrian forces launched a security campaign in the coastal city of Latakia after "militia remnants" supporting ousted ruler Bashar al-Assad killed two personnel in an ambush, state media reported Tuesday.
"Groups of Assad militia remnants killed two members of the Syrian defence ministry in an armed ambush" in Latakia's Daatur district, the SANA news agency said, citing a security source.
Latakia province is a former Assad government stronghold and the heartland of his family's Alawite minority.
"The internal security department launched a broad security campaign" in the district and a number of surrounding areas "to arrest the militia remnants and bring them to justice", the statement added.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor said the defence ministry gathered forces with troop carriers and armed vehicles in the area "in search of the gunmen who attacked an internal security forces patrol".
Restoring and maintaining security across Syria remains one of the most pressing challenges for the new authorities after Assad's December 8 overthrow.
Syria has seen clashes and shootings in a number of areas, often blamed on Assad supporters, with the new authorities announcing campaigns targeting "regime remnants" and making arrests.
Residents and rights groups have occasionally reported violations including home confiscations, extra-judicial executions and kidnappings, with the new authorities dismissing such incidents as isolated and vowing to hold those responsible to account.
Latakia initially saw heightened security tensions and violence, including reprisals against people seen as linked to the former government, though such incidents have decreased somewhat despite occasional attacks on checkpoints, according to the Observatory.
With AFP
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