UAE condemns attacks on Syrian forces by Assad loyalists

By Ibrahim Khazen and Ikram Kouachi

CAIRO (AA) - The United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Saturday condemned attacks by remnants of the former Syrian regime on security forces.

In a statement, the UAE Foreign Ministry expressed its solidarity with the Syrian people and reiterated its “firm position in supporting Syria's stability, sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

Military and security forces from various parts of Syria converged Thursday to assist in countering the largest assault by Bashar Assad loyalists in the coastal town of Jableh and surrounding areas, resulting in the deaths of 11 members of the Syrian army.

Gayyas Delle, commander of a part of the deposed regime forces, and who was involved in ambushing security forces, announced the formation of a military council to overthrow the government.

Assad, Syria’s leader for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia on Dec. 8, ending the Baath Party’s regime, which had been in power since 1963.

Ahmed al-Sharaa, who led anti-regime forces to oust Assad, was declared president for a transitional period on Jan. 29.