14 Syrian police officers were killed in an “ambush” in the Tartous countryside, according to Reuters.
The transitional administration reported on Thursday that the attack was organised by forces loyal to the ousted government of President Bashar al-Assad. Syria’s new interior minister said 10 policemen were also wounded by members of the so-called “remnants” of the Assad administration in Tartous.
Earlier, Syrian police imposed a curfew in the city of Homs following unrest related to demonstrations that residents said were led by members of the Alawite and Shiite Muslim religious communities. Some residents said the protests stemmed from pressure and violence directed at members of the Alawite minority, considered loyal to Assad who was ousted on 8 December.
Representatives of Syria’s new ruling administration, led by the Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a former al-Qaeda affiliate, did not respond to requests for comment on the curfew. State media said the curfew was imposed for one night, from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. Thursday morning local time.
The country’s new leaders have repeatedly vowed to protect religious minority groups. However, demonstrations also occurred in other areas where most of the Alawite minority lived, including in Tartous.
