The announcement comes as the fighting between pro-Assad militias and members of the security forces killed more than 1,000 ...

(Reuters) - Syria has suffered its worst bloodshed since Bashar al-Assad was toppled from power, with more than 1,000 people ...

The days-long conflict has been among Syria's deadliest in a decade. Nearly 1,000 civilians have been killed, including women and children, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Defence Ministry spokesman says security threats have been neutralised in al-Assad strongholds of Latakia and Tartous.