Syrian Army launches attack on jihadist stronghold in northeast Latakia

The Syrian military heavily attacked the jihadist stronghold of Kabani in northeastern Latakia this week, following the collapse of the conditional ceasefire.Syrian military aircraft, tanks, and artillery units could be seen attacking the jihadist positions around Kabani, as they prepare to launch a full-scale ground assault to capture this strategic mountaintop town.

The northeastern region of Latakia has been a hot zone for military activity since 2012; its large presence of foreign jihadist combatants also makes its security a high priority for the Syrian Army’s command.

Currently, two major jihadist groups are active in northeastern Latakia: Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham and the Turkestan Islamic Party.

The Turkestan Islamic Party is primarily comprised of foreign jihadists that have fought at several fronts in northern Syria, including northern Latakia and western idlib.