Funerals are being held in Syria's Idlib province, for members of security forces killed in battles with fighters loyal to ousted President Bashar al-Assad. Hundreds of residents gathered in the town of Al-Janoudiya. Syria's defence ministry says it's regained control of areas in the northwest. Hundreds of people, including civilians, were killed, in the most serious challenge to the transitional government's authority since it took power in December. The attacks happened in the port cities of Latakia and Tartous on the Mediterranean coast. Both were Assad strongholds. Syria's new president says anyone who attacks civilians will be held accountable. Security personnel have been heavily deployed on the streets of the coastal cities. The government has sent reinforcements to conduct security sweeps after a curfew was announced following the fighting.