The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said three militants were also killed in the clashes.
It is added that later the security forces brought in reinforcements.
A lightning offensive by the rebels, which began in northeastern Syria and spread across the country, ended more than 50 years of rule by the Assad family.
Assad and his family were forced to flee to Russia.
Since then, HTS has pledged to protect the rights and freedoms of many religious and ethnic minorities in Syria.
HTS is recognized as a terrorist organization by the UN, USA, EU, UK and others.
Protests broke out in the country on Tuesday over the burning of the Christmas treewhich sparked new calls for the new authorities to protect minorities.
