Syrian military operation ends after over 1,000 deaths

Syria's defense ministry reported that it has ended a military operation against loyalists of ousted president Bashar al-Assad after over 1,000 people were killed in recent clashes. The violence began with an ambush on a security patrol near Latakia. The ministry claimed to have neutralized security cells and remnants of the Assad regime in Latakia and Tartus provinces. It is now developing a new strategy to address remaining threats. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that most of the casualties were civilians, with 745 killed, along with 125 government security personnel and 148 pro-Assad militants. Basic services like electricity and water were disrupted in affected areas.