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Syrian army advancing toward militants’ stronghold in Latakia

Friday, 22 January 2016 7:05 PM [ Last Update: Friday, 22 January 2016 7:17 PM ]

Syrian government forces stand on a street with national flags after Syria's army and allied forces took full control from militant groups of the strategic town of Salma, in the northwestern province of Latakia, on January 12, 2016. (AFP photo)

The Syrian army, backed by Russian airstrikes and military advisors, has managed to gain control of more regions in Latakia, advancing towards a militants’ stronghold in the coastal province, a monitoring group says.

The so-called Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on Friday that the Syrian forces are just about five kilometers (three miles) away from the town of Rabia, a major stronghold for foreign-backed Takfiri militants in the north of Latakia.

If Syrian forces retake Rabia, they will be able to secure the northern part of Latakia Province, said the Britain-based group’s head Rami Abdel Rahman.

Abdel Rahman said that senior Russian military officials were directing the battle for Rabia.

The monitoring group reported heavy airstrikes and clashes but claimed there were no immediate reports of possible casualties among Takfiri militants.

The development comes following the Syrian forces’ recapture of the strategic town of Salma in Latakia on January 12.

The Syrian forces have been fighting to recapture areas under the control of foreign-backed militant groups, which have been wreaking havoc in the country since 2011.

The war in Syria has so far claimed the lives of over 260,000 people and displaced nearly half of the country’s population within or beyond its borders.

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