Islamist rebels launch fresh offensive in northern Latakia

Jihadi groups in the northern countryside of Latakia began a new wide-scale offensive against the Syrian Army positions in Jabal al-Akrad.

The offensive was initiated with heavy artillery shelling ahead of a full ground invasion with the aim to fully capture the strategic mountain.

The declaration of the “Ashoura Battle” was officially announced by several hardline groups including Jabhet Ansar al-Din alliance and Failaq al-Sham.

The coastal city of Latakia harbors the Hmeimim airbase extensively used by Russia’s air force to conduct airstrikes against jihadi groups countrywide.

Formed on July 25, 2014, Jabhet Ansar al-Din is a jihadi alliance, mostly made up from foreign militants from Morocco, Saudi Arabia and the Caucasus.