Syrian troops retake rebel stronghold

The recapture of the town of Rabiya in Latakia province has paved the way for an advance up to the border with Turkey, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

It is the second strategic victory for pro-regime forces in Latakia in less than two weeks, after government troops seized the rebel bastion town of Salma on January 12.

Syrian regime forces Sunday overran the last major rebel-held town in coastal Latakia province, a stronghold of President Bashar Assad, state television reported.

Government troops and militiamen, supported by Moscow’s air power and joined on the ground by Lebanese Hezbollah fighters and Iranian forces, have pressed offensives in the west and northwest of the country in recent months, seeking to reverse gains made by insurgents a year ago.

Rahman added that the fight was overseen by senior Russian military officials, while Russian airstrikes played a key role.

Since Sept. 30, Russian Air Force planes have operated out of Hmeimim Airport in Latakia province.

In eastern Syria, the Observatory said Sunday that airstrikes by Russian and Syrian warplanes killed at least 164 people in the last three days in Deir Ezzor province.

Peace talks between the government and opposition groups are due to take place in Geneva on Monday, although disagreements, partly over who will take part on the rebel side, have cast doubt on whether they will go ahead.

The London-based watchdog group said Russian soldiers are also taking part in the battles in Latakia, where the Syrian forces have been making notable progress against an array of jihadi groups.