Deadly fight erupts between security forces, Assad loyalists in Syria

Fierce clashes erupted on Thursday between security forces of Syria’s transitional government and loyalists of ousted dictator Bashar al-Assad, as the new rulers struggle to re-establish security in the war-shattered country.

The violence flared after security forces stormed the village of Balqasah, west of Homs province in central Syria, where remnants of the former regime were holed up, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a monitoring group, reported.

The ensuing clashes involving heavy weapons and drones left four members of the security forces dead, the monitor said.

An unspecified number of Assad’s supporters, led by a wanted man known as Shujaa al-Ali, were also killed in the fighting, the observatory said.

Ali is a pro-Iran militiaman in the area, and is wanted in connection with murder and kidnapping cases, according to the UK-based monitor that relies on a network of contacts inside Syria.

Syria’s state news agency SANA confirmed the clashes, saying they had left two security staff dead and 10 others injured.