Syrian security forces fought with Al Assad loyalists for a second day in the country's coastal region on Friday, as the Islamist-led government sought to quell the deadliest unrest since the fall of the former regime.

Outstanding issues between Damascus, the armed Druze groups, and the SDF can likely be resolved through protracted negotiations and mutual willingness to compromise.

At least 70 people were killed in Syria’s Latakia province as security forces clashed with loyalists of ousted leader Bashar al-Assad, in the bloodiest challenge to the new authorities since Assad’s fall.