Syria says 14 security personnel killed in ‘ambush’ by Assad loyalists

Syria’s new rebel-led authorities say 14 Interior Ministry officials were killed and 10 wounded in an “ambush” by forces loyal to ousted President Bashar al-Assad in the country’s west.

They say the fighting took place near the Mediterranean port of Tartous on Tuesday.

Reports say security forces were ambushed while attempting to arrest a former officer in connection with his role in the notorious Saydnaya prison near the capital Damascus.

Just over two weeks ago, Assad’s presidency fell into the hands of rebel forces led by the Islamist faction Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).

The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said three militants were also killed in the clashes.

He added that security forces later brought reinforcements.

The rebels’ lightning offensive that began in northeastern Syria and spread across the country ended the Assad family’s more than 50-year rule.

Assad and his family were forced to flee to Russia.

Since then, HTS has vowed to protect the rights and freedoms of many religious and ethnic minorities in Syria.

HTS is designated as a terrorist organization by the UN, US, EU, UK and others.

Protests broke out in the country on Tuesday. about burning a Christmas treeprompting fresh calls for new authorities to protect minorities.