BEIRUT, LEBANON (5:10 P.M.) – The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) suffered heavy casualties in the northeastern countryside of the Latakia Governorate, today, after they attempted to capture the key mountaintop town of Kabani near the Idlib border.
Led by the 42nd Brigade (Ghiath Forces) of the 4th Armored Division, the Syrian Arab Army began the assault by firing a large number of missiles towards the jihadist positions in Kabani.
Following the missile strikes, the Syrian Arab Army made their first major push to capture Kabani from the jihadist rebels of the Turkestan Islamic Party (TIP) and Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham.
However, per a military source in Latakia, the Syrian Army suffered heavy losses during the attack, which forced them to fall back to the southern slope of the Zuwayqat Mountain.
The source said the total number of casualties is still unknown at the moment, but put the estimate between 20-25 killed or wounded.
Kabani is located on the highest mountain in the Latakia Governorate; this has made it incredibly difficult for the Syrian Army and their allies to capture.
Due to its proximity to the Idlib Governorate and strategic city of Jisr Al-Shughour, Kabani is considered a top priority for the Syrian military in the Latakia Governorate.
