Syria says 14 security personnel killed in 'ambush' by Assad loyalists

Syria's new rebel-led authorities have said that 14 interior ministry personnel have been killed and 10 injured in an "ambush" by forces loyal to ousted President Bashar al-Assad in the west of the country, reports BBC.

They said the fighting took place near the Mediterranean port of Tartous on Tuesday.

Reports say the security forces were ambushed as they tried to arrest a former officer in connection to his role at the notorious Saydnaya prison, close to the capital Damascus.

Just over two weeks ago, Assad's presidency fell to rebel forces led by the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) faction.

The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said three militants were also killed in the clashes.

The SOHR added that the security forces later brought in reinforcements.