ISTANBUL

Four Syrian security personnel, two civilians, and nine armed militants were killed in clashes that have been ongoing since Tuesday evening in Sanamayn city, southern Syria, the Daraa Governorate announced on Thursday.

In a statement, the governorate said security forces erected several checkpoints in the city and carried out raids against militants, some of whom are affiliated with the ISIS (Daesh) terrorist group.

It added that heavy clashes lasted for several hours, during which the Syrian security forces also arrested 60 suspects, who were referred to the relevant interrogation units.

Security forces had previously carried out operations in several provinces against former regime elements who refused to lay down arms following the fall of the Baath regime.

Bashar Assad, Syria’s leader for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia on Dec. 8, ending the regime of the Baath Party, which had been in power since 1963.