**LATAKIA / ISTANBUL**
Following an attack on security forces in Syria's Latakia province, the Syrian army has stepped up search operations against forces loyal to the deposed Bashar Assad regime.
The Syrian army has sent reinforcements to the Latakia and Tartus provinces, including hundreds of vehicles equipped with tanks, armored personnel carriers, and multiple rocket launchers.
Syria’s state-run news agency SANA cited a security source as saying that operations to apprehend the ousted regime forces will be expanded.
However, those intending to surrender their weapons have been directed to go to the nearest security checkpoint.
The attack by forces loyal to the ousted Bashar Assad regime in the Jableh district of Latakia province resulted in the deaths of 11 members of the Syrian army.
Gayyas Delle, commander of the deposed regime's Gays Forces and involved in ambushing security forces, announced the formation of a military council aimed at overthrowing the current government.
Since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, military authorities have opened reconciliation centers for former regime loyalists to surrender their weapons. However, some factions have refused to comply, leading to clashes in multiple provinces.
Assad, Syria’s leader for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia on Dec. 8, ending the Baath Party’s regime, which had been in power since 1963.
Ahmed al-Sharaa, who led anti-regime forces to oust Assad, was declared president for a transitional period on Jan. 29.
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