CHANGES HEADLINE, LEDE; UPDATES WITH MORE DETAILS
By Mehmet Burak Karacaoglu, Esref Musa, Asiye Latife Yilmaz, and Ikram Kouachi
LATAKIA / ISTANBUL (AA) - Authorities extended the curfew in the cities of Latakia and Tartus in northwest Syria on Friday and launched large-scale security sweeps in urban centers, villages, and surrounding mountains to track down remnants of the deposed Bashar al-Assad regime.
This decision was made in response to recent security tensions in the coastal region, which saw former regime elements attack security patrols and checkpoints, resulting in security force casualties.
On Thursday evening, Syria's General Security Administration issued a general curfew for Tartus, Homs, and Latakia until Friday morning.
Syria’s official news agency, SANA, cited on Friday a senior security official confirming the extension of the curfew in Latakia and Tartus.
While the agency did not specify the duration of the extended curfew, local media reports indicated that it would remain in effect until noon local time (0900GMT).
Additionally, security forces have launched extensive search operations across urban centers, villages, and mountainous areas surrounding Latakia and Tartus.
SANA cited a security source as saying that operations to apprehend the ousted regime forces will be expanded.
However, those intending to surrender their weapons have been directed to go to the nearest security checkpoint.
The attack by forces loyal to the ousted Bashar Assad regime in the Jableh district of Latakia province resulted in the deaths of 11 members of the Syrian army.
Gayyas Delle, commander of the deposed regime's Gays Forces and involved in ambushing security forces, announced the formation of a military council aimed at overthrowing the current government.
Since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, military authorities have opened reconciliation centers for former regime loyalists to surrender their weapons. However, some factions have refused to comply, leading to clashes in multiple provinces.
Assad, Syria’s leader for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia on Dec. 8, ending the Baath Party’s regime, which had been in power since 1963.
Ahmed al-Sharaa, who led anti-regime forces to oust Assad, was declared president for a transitional period on Jan. 29.