Fierce clashes over the past two days between security forces under Syria’s new Islamist government and gunmen belonging to the country’s Alawite religious minority killed scores of people, marking the most widespread violence since the fall of President Bashar al-Assad’s regime.

Syria's defence ministry says it has regained control of areas in the northwest that were under attack by Assad-regime loyalists.

Violence erupts in Syria as pro-Assad forces clash with government. Syrian security forces were seen battling with Assad fighters across Syria as civilians demand for 'Russian' protection.