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Syrian government forces oust terrorists from Latakia’s north-east

Militants were ousted from ancient fortresses Tubal and Shellef

© AP Photo/Alice Martins

BEIRUT, August 9. /TASS/. The Syrian government army and self-defense forces have regained control over the strategic region in the north-east of the Latakia province (320 kilometers from Damascus), SANA news agency reported on Tuesday.

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According to reports, the settlement of Kinsabba was freed and all surrounding heights were taken. The Latakia-Aleppo highway lies near the settlement, in 13 kilometers from the border with Turkey, which groups of terrorists cross to arrive in Syria.

"Militants were ousted from ancient fortresses Tubal and Shellef located on the heights. Fierce fighting was underway on the approaches to them for 72 hours. The enemy moved a lot of forces to this region," a Syrian officer, who took part in the operation, said.

With support of aviation and artillery, the Syrian government forces managed to inflict "considerable losses on terrorists and make them retreat," the officer said adding that they will now pursue the retreating gangs.

Armed groups of Jaysh al-Fatah that include terrorirst from Jebhat Fatah al-Sham (former Al Nusra Front banned in Russia) and mercenaries, are based in mountainous areas of Jebel-Turkman and Jebel-Arkad. SANA said that they receive supplies of weapons and ammunition from across the Turkish border.

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