Fighting has been reported in Syria since the beginning of the month between supporters of the ousted President Bashar al-Assad and government forces. According to a media report, a counterattack in the Syrian capital of Damascus was launched by the opposing side. Citing its own sources in the security agencies of the new Syrian government, the TV channel Al Jazeera reported that a “attack by remnants of the overthrown regime on a control point in the Mezzeh district of Damascus was repelled by the security directorate.”
Al Jazeera did not provide further information on casualties or wounded individuals.
Clashes have also been reported in the Syrian provinces of Latakia, Tartus and Homs. The heaviest fighting has taken place in the city of Jableh, which is the homeland of the Alawite minority, to which the family of the former President Assad also belongs.
According to the latest reports, since the escalation of violence in western Syria, 250 supporters of the former President have been killed, while the security forces under the new Islamic government have lost 231 fighters, according to reports. The number of civilian casualties is estimated to be over 800, with the majority of them being from the Alawite community.