Thread on security challenges the new Syrian leadership faces. Looters/robbers were arrested in #Tartus while a train and a pharmaceutic factory were burned down past ~24 hours in #Latakia by unknown people.

#Syria: today 3 fighters (one 📸) belonging to a patrol of the Military Department of Operations were killed & a dozen wounded by armed people looting a military base in the Eastern #Latakia countryside, ~5 km North of Qerdaha. Reinforcements arriving to start combing operations.

S. #Syria: troops belonging to the Military Department of Operations arrived today in #Daraa province to reinforce the local forces & help them securing the city and the countryside (including the border crossing with Jordan). Convoy had over 200 vehicles.

#Syria: armed elements fired today on the facade of St. George's Church in city of #Hama. The Archdiocese released a statement to say the perpetrators are tracked by the Police. Protecting such places will be key to ensure trust & stability. Location:

#Syria: first protest tonight in #Tartus since the downfall of Assad, with people complaining in front of the Police HQ about laxity with some theft/criminal cases.

#Syria: people denounced a man after he entered a cafe in Christian district of Qassaa (#Damascus) & shouted provocative slogans, claiming to be from #HTS. Asked an ID by the owner, he fled. Found & arrested by the security forces, it turned out 2 be a supporter of former Regime.

#Syria: last night a fire broke out in the main hall of #Aleppo International Stadium. It was put out by the White Helmets. Its Director says it was a criminal act (his teams were distracted by calls claiming fake fires in 2 other areas).

#Syria: 9 fighters belonging to the Department of Military Operations were reportedly wounded tonight in an ambush carried out by suspected Regime remnants in #Masyaf (W. #Hama).

#Syria: increasing number of arsons targeting public properties. Were burned down past ~48 hours: - Room with documents in #Tartus' Military Police - Recruitment Department in #Hama - Trains in #Latakia Some are motivated by will to destroy evidence; others are pure vandalism.

#Syria: Regime remnants erasing more evidence, now in Suwayda where a fire wrecked today the Criminal Security Branch. Arsons recently destroyed Intelligence & Secu buildings used by Assad Regime. Most of those places were left intact with all documents due to quick SAA collapse.

#Syria: more arsons today aimed at destroying documents belonging to Assad's Regime. In #Latakia a fire burned down the records room in the Police HQ and a second one destroyed documents in the Civil Court.

#Syria: the Department of Military Operations launching today its first security campaign in the Coastal Areas amidst rising tensions & incidents. Last night one fighter (2nd pic) was killed & 3 wounded in S. #Tartus province after a vehicle refused to stop & fired at the patrol.

#Syria: besides issue of gangs & Regime remnants, there's also a great resentment among former Rebels against those from the Coast who committed war crimes in total impunity. Many local sources, who now support the Transitional Gov', warn this could lead to serious escalation.

#Syria: Security Forces are also cracking down on criminals and more organized gangs involved in robbery, extortion & drug trafficking. Several individuals & groups were arrested past ~24 hours, like in #Latakia (📸 1-2), #Aleppo (📸 3) & #Hama (📸 4).

#Syria: report from Salamiyah and its countryside (SE. #Hama) where Security Forces and checkpoints have been deployed to secure the region. Those actions are welcomed by the residents.

#Syria: agreed in meeting w/ Department of Mil. Ops (DMO) to improve security in #Tartus-city: - only Public Secu stays & mil. cars 2 leave (for clear ID, as thefts operated pretending to be DMO) - form temporary popular committees w/ DMO, awaiting new Secu (recruitment ongoing).

#Syria: the Department of Military Operations carried out a security campaign today against outlaws in #Homs-city, triggering clashes. The Christian Union Church also released a statement to thank the DMO for the swift resolution of a robbery in a church in the Armenian district.

#Syria: more arsons aimed at destroying evidence/documents of the fallen Regime past 48 hours: - Military Tribunal in #Latakia - damage limited due to swift intervention - Military Construction Building in Jablah - Documents belonging to the Transport Ministry in #Damascus.

#Syria: tensions tonight in Suquaylbiyah (NW. #Hama) after fighters set fire to a Christmas tree tonight following a dispute. An Official of the Department of Military Operations in the town says those were "non-Syrians", promises harsh punishment and restoration of the tree.

#Syria: the new system set up last week in #Tartus province is bearing fruits. Tonight the popular committees arrested in Safita thieves pretending to be part of the Department of Military Operations.

#Syria: the former commander of the 4th Division, involved in criminal activities, was killed in #Damascus following an operation carried out by the Department of Military Operations. His car exploded due to presence of explosives.

#Syria: the Security Forces backed by the Department of Military Operations arrested today a former Criminal Security element and known informant in #Latakia-city. He fired at the patrol & was helped by several of his sons (armed). All were caught. People celebrated their arrest.

#Syria: clashes erupted today S. of #Tartus-city during a security operation carried out by the Department of Military Operations. It's unclear if it was a proper ambush or if the wanted people resisted, but at least 2 #DMO fighters were killed and several wounded.

#Syria: death toll following clashes with Regime remnants during a security operation S. of #Tartus-city rose to 4 (all fighters belonging to the Department of Military Operations). The perpetrators (5 men) were subsequently arrested.

#Syria: large security reinforcements reached tonight #Tartus, #Latakia and #Homs (video) to enforce the curfews. They will conduct patrols and operations against Regime remnants.

#Syria: the Interior Ministry says 14 of its members were killed & 10 wounded yesterday by Regime remnants in the Coastal Areas. This is the heaviest toll since fall of Assad. Some of them pictured 👇

#Syria: widespread security operations were launched today in several areas from #Damascus to the Coast. Targets are Regime remnants who didn't surrender weapons in the settlement centers. Video from Qudsaya (Damascus suburb) where it triggered heavy gunfire.

#Syria: no official data regarding the security operations carried out today vs Regime remnants, but at least 20 were arrested & several slain. 5 Security members were also killed (pic 1: a cmdr), including 4 in Balqasah where clashes continue tonight with group of local warlord.

#Syria: a 3rd member of the Security Forces killed today in W. #Homs is now identified. He was from N. #Hama. Other photos show the security campaign launched today against Regime remnants & arrest of several ones in Hama province.

#Syria: there were celebrations last night in city of #Latakia after people learned of the arrest by the Security Forces of one of most wanted Regime informants & militiamen (Anan Zuwikli - عنان زويكلي) from Ali Jamal district.

#Syria: today a fire destroyed documents in the Recruitment Division of #Hama. Those centers, repeatedly denounced for their corruption, usually contain lists of recruits of the former Regime. Such lists are used 2 see which soldiers didn't settle their status w/ new authorities.

The perpetrator of the attack on Trump was spotted and photographed on the roof by law enforcement nearly 30 minutes before firing