DAMASCUS — Syrian forces loyal to the new government in Damascus have engaged in heavy fighting with remnants of the ousted Assad regime in a coastal area in the country's north-west.

Dozens of people have reportedly been killed in the clashes in Latakia province, close to a Russian-controlled airbase.

A curfew has been announced until Friday morning.

They are some of the most violent attacks on forces linked to Syria's new government since the fall of Bashar al-Assad in December.

Clashes continue in coastal areas that form the heartland of the Alawite community and are a stronghold of the Assad family.

State news agency Sana reported that "huge military reinforcements" were heading to the city of Jableh.

Estimations of the number of people killed vary, and the BBC has been unable to independently verify them.

Late on Thursday, Syrian-based Step news agency, was reporting that government-aligned forces had killed "about 70" former regime fighters, while more than 25 others were captured in Jableh and surrounds.

Separately, the AFP news agency said, citing a war monitor, that a total of 48 people were killed - including 16 government security personnel, 28 pro-Assad fighters, and four civilians.

There have also been reports of clashes in the cities of Homs and Aleppo.

The crackle of heavy gunfire on residential streets in Homs can be heard on unverified videos on social media.

A spokesman for Syria's defence ministry, Colonel Hassan Abdul Ghani, issued a warning to Assad loyalists fighting in Latakia via state media.

"Thousands have chosen to surrender their weapons and return to their families, while some insist on fleeing and dying in defence of murderers and criminals. The choice is clear: lay down your weapons or face your inevitable fate," he said.

The region has become a major security challenge for president Ahmed al-Sharaa.

Earlier this week, Syria's foreign minister told the global chemical weapons watchdog that the new government was committed to destroying any remaining stockpiles produced under-Assad.

Assad's government denied ever using chemical weapons during the 14-year civil war, but activists accused it of carrying out of dozens of chemical attacks. — BBC