On September 9, units belogning to the Syrian Arab Army (SAA), the Desert Hawks Brigade, the Syrian Marines and and Syrian Social Nationalist Party (SSNP) launched a wide-scale offensive in the northern part of Syria’s province of Latakia. The loyalists’ offensive advanced on Jabhat Fateh Al-Sham (formerly Jabhat Al Nusra) terrorists at the Saraf – Kiliz axis in Jabal Turkmen and at the Kinsiba – Kabaneh axis in Jabal Akrad.
By now, the SAA and its allies have reportedly captured next sites: Tell Rasha, Nahshaba, Dahret Abo Saad, Rweiset al-Katf, Ayn Qantarah, Ard al-Wata, Maz’alah, Ayn Baydah, Jabal Hassan and Ayn al-Hawr. Separately, the pro-government forces have secured the Points 540 and 650 near the village of Al-Ra’i in Jabal Akrad.
Click to see the full-size map
The full-scale advance in northern Latakia followed the reports that 1,000 cadets completed a 6 month training cycle for the Syrian Marines by Russian military advisers and were deployed at the frontline in norhern Latakia.
A pro-militant map of the military situation in northern Latakia:
Click to see the full-size map
I’m assuming that the border is closed and the insurgency is becoming an old policy, probably that’s because KSA has a vested interest in Balkanizing the ME. Erdogan knows that, and doesn’t want to be another Saddam Hussein, KSA provoked Saddam by slant- drilling using their clients in Kuwait to insight war and eliminate Saddam.