Doha, March 9 -- More than 230 servicepeople of Syria's defense ministry and security forces have been killed in clashes with armed groups loyal to former President Bashar Assad in coastal towns in the west of the country, Al Jazeera broadcaster reported, citing a source in the Syrian security forces.
"During operations along the coast, 231 servicepeople of the defense ministry and security services were killed," the source said.
Dozens more troops went missing in combat areas, the source added.
On Sunday, a mass grave containing the bodies of killed soldiers was discovered in the town of Al Qardahah, the hometown of the Assad family. Security personnel are searching for other similar mass graves, the source was cited as saying by the br...