At least five people were killed in an attack by unknown gunmen on residents of the village of Mashqita, located north of the Syrian city of Latakia, the Sham TV channel reported.
According to its media outlet, three more civilians were injured.
Located in Latakia province, the village of Mashqita is populated mainly by Alawites, a religious minority to which the family of former Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad belongs.
On March 6, clashes broke out in the provinces of Latakia, Tartus and Homs between the security forces of the Syrian transitional government and supporters of the former president. The most intense fighting is taking place in the Alawite-dominated city of Jebla. As a result of the clashes that lasted for several days, about 1,500 people were killed.