Syria’s new rulers crack down on alleged Assad loyalist militias

Members of the security forces of the newly formed Syrian government detain a man suspected of being part of the militias of the ousted president Bashar Assad in Adra, on the outskirts of Damascus (Leo Correa/AP)

Syria’s new government said it deployed dozens of soldiers in the Damascus suburb of Adra on Monday in search of alleged militiamen loyal to ousted president Bashar Assad, with military police vehicles seen transporting detainees.

“A security campaign was carried out in Adra town which led to the arrest of the militia leaders in the area,” said Abu Yaarub, a security official who did not give his full name in accordance with regulations.