Syrian authorities launch operation in Assad hometown

Syria's new authorities announced Friday a security operation in the hometown of deposed president Bashar al-Assad, state media said, after deadly clashes and unrest in the heartland of the Alawite minority.

"Our forces are about to launch targeted and precise operations in coordination with the general security forces against loyalists of the former regime, who have betrayed our forces and compatriots, in the city of Qardaha," said a defence ministry source quoted by official news agency SANA.