The coastal area of Jableh in Syria witnessed violent clashes between security forces affiliated with the interim Syrian government and groups loyal to former President Bashar al-Assad, resulting in the deaths of 13 security personnel and injuries to dozens more.

Jableh is considered a stronghold of Assad and has experienced an escalation of violence since his downfall last March.

In a related context, Syrian security forces arrested Major General Ibrahim Hweijeh, who is accused of overseeing assassinations during the rule of Hafez al-Assad, including the assassination of politician and leader of the Druze community in Lebanon, Kamal Joumblatt.