Fourteen interior ministry employees were killed and 10 others wounded in an attack between officials led by Syria’s new rebels and forces loyal to ousted President Bashar al-Assad.
The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) also claimed three fighters loyal to Assad were killed in an attack near the Mediterranean port of Tartous on Tuesday.
The UK-based group added that security forces later brought in additional forces to deal with the terrorists.
According to a BBC report, Interior Ministry forces attacked a former officer at the notorious Saydnaya prison near the capital Damascus.
Two weeks ago, Syria saw the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad by rebel forces led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). The lightning-fast movement of rebel forces that began in Syria’s northeast swept across the country, ending more than 50 years of rule by the Assad family.
Assad had to flee to Russia with his family, reports claimed. The HTS has since taken command of the country and pledged to protect Syria’s religious and ethnic minorities.
However, the group is designated as a terrorist organization by the United Kingdom, the United States, the European Union and the United Nations, among others.
Protests erupted in Syria on Tuesday over the burning of Christmas trees, prompting the new rebel-led authorities to act and protect minorities.
“If we’re not allowed to live our Christian faith in our country, like we used to, then we’re not here anymore,” said one protester.
Why should you buy our membership?
You want to be the smartest in the room.
You want access to our award-winning journalism.
You don’t want to be confused and misinformed.
Choose your subscription package