Dozens killed in clashes between Syrian forces and Assad loyalists

Forces linked to Syria's new rulers have engaged in heavy fighting with fighters loyal to deposed President Bashar al-Assad in a coastal area of the country, the BBC reported. 

It is the worst violence in Syria since rebels toppled Assad in December and installed an Islamist transitional government.

A war monitoring group, the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said more than 70 people have been killed.

A curfew has been imposed in the port cities of Latakia and Tartous, where the fighting has broken out.

The clashes started when government forces were ambushed during a security operation in Latakia.

Reinforcements have been sent, and videos posted online show heavy gunfire in some places.

The coastal region is the heartland of the Alawite minority, and a stronghold of the Assad family, which belong to the Alawite sect.

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

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on Friday that 71 people had been killed, including 35 members of government forces, 32 gunmen affiliated to the former regime's army, and four civilians.

The clashes left tens of others injured, the human rights group said.

Gunmen, some from the former regime, had ambushed military forces, checkpoints and headquarters along the coastline, the organisation said.