Syrian Army Begins Fresh Operations in Lattakia Countryside

The Syrian army started fresh operations in Lattakia countryside to purge strategic towns of militants.
The army units managed to purge terrorists from the town of Zagharou in al-Rabia countryside and also regained control of Zagharou strategic mountain peak.
The latest reports from the battlefield said the army has now begun advancing from Kharbeh Soulas towards the highly strategic Qamam region.
The army’s control over the Zagharou mountain peak is seen to carry much strategic importance as it has been under the control of the militants for more than two years now.
A Syrian military source confirmed the beginning of military operations in Lattakia countryside, and said that the main purpose for carrying out the Syrian army operations is maintaining security in Syria’s coastal regions and preventing militants’ attacks on these areas.
On Friday, Syrian troops staged massive attacks on the foreign-backed insurgents’ strongholds in various areas across the countryside of Lattakia, killing and injuring a large number of anti-Syrian fighters, and wounding several others in the battlefronts.
At least 23 militants were killed and many others were injured during army operations in the villages of al-Rabia, al-Moeitmeh and Saqieh in the Northern countryside of Lattakia, a military source said.
As’ad Zreiq, a leader from Al-Nusra Front terrorist group, Ahmad Balsha and explosive expert Ahmad al-Sous were among the killed rebels.
Army also attacked militants’ strongholds in the villages of Deir-Hanna, Ketf al-Roumman and al-Qasab in the coastal province.
Armed forces targeted rebels in the towns of al-Qantara, al-Qasab, al-Hamrat, Drousha, Deir Hanna and Ghmam in the Northern countryside, which left scores of anti-government fighters dead.