The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights confirmed that a curfew has been imposed in the port cities of Latakia, Tartous and Homs, where the deadly clashes broke out on Thursday after Syrian government forces were ambushed during a security operation.

Syria witnessed the most intense and bloodiest clashes between the new Syrian government and Bashar al Assad loyalists since Assad's downfall on December 8.

Syrian security forces clashed with Bashar 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 last regime.