The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based watchdog, said 17 people died on December 25 in clashes in Tartus province after Syrian security forces tried to arrest an officer under former President Bashar al-Assad.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that 14 members of the joint security forces of the new Syrian government, along with three armed men in Khirbet al-Maaza, were killed.
Syrian security forces are seeking to arrest an officer under former President Bashar al-Assad who is among "those responsible for the crimes of Saydnaya prison".
Syria's interim government Interior Minister Mohammed Abdel Rahman confirmed that "14 Interior Ministry employees were killed and 10 others were injured after a dangerous ambush" by remnants of the former government in Tartus province "while carrying out their duties to maintain security and safety."
Prisoners in Syrian prisons were released after opposition forces led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) overthrew Mr Assad this month.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that the man wanted by Syrian security forces is Mohammed Kanjo Hassan, an officer in the forces of the former regime, holding the position of director of the military judiciary.
Clashes in Tartus province - a stronghold of Mr Assad's pro-Alawite minority - broke out after "some residents refused to allow their homes to be searched", the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights added.
The brothers of officer Mohammed Kanjo Hassan and armed men blocked the Syrian security forces, set up an ambush for the Syrian security forces near the village and targeted a patrol vehicle. According to the organization, “dozens” of people in the village were also arrested.
