Syrian forces advance in northern Latakia

Monday, 12 September, 2016 - 11:00

The Syrian Armed Forces launched a large-scale offensive in the northern Latakia countryside on Sunday that targeted several axes near the Idlib Governorate border.

Led by the Desert Hawks Brigade and Syrian Marines, the Syrian Armed Forces stormed the key village of Kabbani and the nearby mountaintops of Jabal Hassan Al-Ra’i, Tal Haddadeh, and Jabal Tufahiyah.

While they were unable to capture Kabbani after a fierce battle with Jabhat Fateh Al-Sham (formerly Al-Nusra front) and Harakat Ahrar Al-Sham, the Syrian Armed Forces did manage to capture most of Jabal Hassan Al-Ra’i ad Jabal Al-Tufahiyah.

Clashes died down by nightfall on Sunday; however, they are expected to restart in the coming hours, as the Syrian Armed Forces look to impose full control over the two aforementioned mountaintops.