Clashes in Khirbet al-Ma'za: 14 Security Personnel and 3 Militants Killed

In the village of Khirbet al-Ma'za, located in the southern countryside of Tartous, Syria, violent clashes have resulted in the deaths of 14 Public Security Forces personnel and three militants. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a war monitor, reported that the conflict began when a patrol from the General Security Forces, under the Military Operations Department, attempted to arrest Muhammad Kanjo Hassan, a former regime officer.

Hassan's followers and local gunmen resisted, leading to a deadly ambush and further clashes. The Syrian Observatory stated, "14 members of the Public Security Forces were killed in clashes with gunmen in the village of Khirbet al-Ma'za in the southern countryside of Tartous. Three militants were also killed, in addition to injuries on both sides."

The patrol was on a mission to arrest Hassan, who was the Director of the Military Justice Department and Head of the Field Court. During the search, Hassan's brother and armed followers intercepted the patrol, expelled them from the village, and set up an ambush, targeting a patrol car.

Military reinforcements were sent to arrest the militants, resulting in violent clashes. The gunmen targeted a General Security Forces car, leading to its burning amid the ongoing conflict. The Syrian opposition fighters took control of Damascus on December 8, ending Assad's regime after over 13 years of civil war. Forces loyal to al-Sharaa have established a caretaker government. On the same day, Qatar called for lifting sanctions on Syria, following the reopening of its embassy in Damascus.