UPDATE - Syrian security forces arrest remnants of Assad regime in Deir ez-Zor province

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By Laith Al-Jnaidi and Mohmmad Sio

ISTANBUL (AA) - Syrian security forces in eastern Deir ez-Zor province arrested four former regime leaders suspected of plotting attacks on government and security facilities, local authorities said Sunday.

The province’s official Telegram channel reported that the detainees were planning “acts of sabotage” targeting state institutions.

Earlier, Syrian security forces said they arrested remnants of the Assad regime on suspicion of planning attacks on security and government facilities, the province said in a statement.

Last Thursday, the coastal provinces of Latakia and Tartus saw coordinated attacks by supporters of the ousted regime. The attacks – described as the most severe since the regime’s fall in December – targeted security patrols, checkpoints and hospitals, resulting in deaths and injuries.

In response, security and military forces launched sweeping operations to track down the attackers, leading to fierce clashes.

The Syrian presidency announced Sunday the formation of an independent national commission to investigate the events in the coastal region.

Bashar al-Assad, Syria’s leader for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia on Dec. 8, ending the Baath Party 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.