Over 70 killed in Syria clashes between government forces and Assad loyalists

Syrian security forces are engaged in a conflict with armed supporters of former President Bashar al-Assad in the Latakia region. According to the police chief, the city of Latakia has been secured, however, the war monitor reports over 70 fatalities in the clashes. The Assad family, primarily from the Alawite minority sect, dominated Syrian politics for nearly a century. The recent fighting, which has been occurring over the past two days, is believed by Syrian officials to be the result of support from the former regime's remnants, predominantly composed of the Alawite community.