Two members of the Syrian security forces were killed in an armed attack in the coastal city of Tartus, Syria's SANA news agency reported Tuesday.

The incident occurred in the morning as security personnel inspected a suspicious vehicle during a routine patrol, when one of the occupants opened fire, killing both officers, according to an unnamed security official.

The attackers fled the scene, and authorities have launched a manhunt to track down the vehicle and apprehend those responsible, according to SANA.