Syrian army forces pound western Syria, kill 20 Takfiris

At least 20 foreign-sponsored Takfiri terrorists have been killed when Syrian army troopers carried out assaults against militant hideouts in the country’s western province of Latakia.

A military source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the extremists were killed as Syrian soldiers fired a number of artillery rounds against positions of al-Qaeda-affiliated al-Nusra Front terrorist group on the northern outskirts of the provincial capital city of Latakia, located 348 kilometers (216 miles) northwest of Damascus, on Sunday, Syria’s official SANA news agency reported.

The source added that a number of Turkish nationals were among the slain militants.

The development came only hours after Syrian forces carried out an operation against al-Nusra Front terrorists in the village of Jubata al-Khashab, which lies on Syrian side of the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.

A source, requesting not to be named, said the offensive was conducted late on Saturday after the intelligence units of the Syrian army had detected the terrorist movements in the area.

Earlier on Saturday, Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad praised the army for its steadfastness in the fight against terrorism and defending the homeland.

Assad said the army has set a shining example in sacrifice and loyalty to homeland, adding that army forces have shown unwavering resolve and willingness to protect the Syrian land and heritage.

The conflict in Syria, which started in March 2011, has reportedly claimed more than 230,000 lives up until now.

The violence has also forced over 3.8 million Syrians to take refuge in neighboring countries, including Jordan and Lebanon. More than 7.2 million others have been displaced within Syria, according to the United Nations.