Syria's security forces launched an operation on Thursday against pro-Assad "militias" in the western province of Tartus, state news agency SANA reported, a day after deadly clashes with gunmen affiliated with the former government.
The operation had already succeeded in "neutralising a certain number" of armed men loyal to toppled president Bashar al-Assad, SANA said. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitor has reported several arrests in connection with Wednesday's clashes.