Hundreds killed as Syria security forces clash with al-Assad loyalists

UN envoy says ‘immediate need for restraint’ in fluid situation amid reports civilians killed in wave of violence.

Interim Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has urged forces still loyal to ousted leader Bashar al-Assad to lay down their weapons as human rights monitors report civilians are among hundreds of people killed in wave of violence.

The statements on Friday night came after Hasan Abdel-Ghani, spokesperson for the Syrian Ministry of Defence, told Al Jazeera that fighters loyal to al-Assad on Thursday attacked security forces in several places in Latakia and Tartous governorates, killing “a number of security forces” in what he described as well-planned operations.

The area is home to the Alawite minority sect to which the al-Assad family belongs.

In a speech broadcast on Telegram, al-Sharaa said that the Alawite sect had made an “unforgivable mistake” as he called for government aligned forces not to “exaggerate in their response”.

“The riposte has come, and you have not been able to withstand it,” he said. “Lay down your weapons and surrender before it’s too late.”