At least 48 people have been killed in violent clashes between Syrian government forces and loyalist fighters of former president Bashar al-Assad. Among the dead are 16 security personnel. The violence erupted in the Latakia province, prompting the authorities to impose a curfew in the region. Syrian state media agency SANA reported that government troops are now advancing toward the city of Jableh with “significant military reinforcements.” The Syrian-based Step News Agency stated that government forces had killed around 70 former pro-Assad fighters and detained over 25. The country’s defense ministry has called for the surrender of weapons to restore order.