Syrian security services have thwarted a coup that was planned by the officers of the former Syrian army, the Interior Ministry of the Arab Republic reported. It was not indicated when it was planned to carry out the coup.

According to the Syrian foreign minister, after preventing the “plot” the authorities decided to create a department responsible for prosecuting criminals by strengthening coordination with other security services. The measures have been taken to enhance security and stability.

In March, the Syrian Defence Ministry said it was developing a plan to deal with a possible threat from Bashar al-Assad's supporters. This came shortly after government forces clashed in the country's coastal areas with Alawites, to whom Bashar al-Assad (ousted to Islamist groups) belongs.