Dozens killed in clashes between Syrian forces and Assad loyalists
Forces linked to Syria’s new rulers have engaged in heavy fighting with fighters loyal to deposed President Bashar al-Assad in a coastal area of the country.
It is the worst violence in Syria since rebels toppled Assad in December and installed an Islamist transitional government.
A war monitoring group, the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said more than 70 people have been killed.
A curfew has been imposed in the port cities of Latakia and Tartous, where the fighting has broken out.
The clashes started when government forces were ambushed during a security operation in Latakia.
Reinforcements have been sent, and videos posted online show heavy gunfire in some places.
Read more: BBC News