Syrian Commandos begin encirclement of Kinsibba after capturing 3 villages in northern Latakia

Syrian Arab Army’s 103rd Brigade (commando brigade) of the Republican Guard has begun their important encirclement of Kinsibba after seizing several sites in the Kurdish Mountains (Jabal Al-Akrad) of northeastern Latakia over the last 48 hours. On Wednesday afternoon, the Syrian Arab Army’s 103rd Brigade – in close coordination with the National Defense Forces (NDF), Liwaa Suqour Al-Sahra (Desert Hawks Brigade), the Syrian Social Nationalist Party (SSNP), and Fouj Al-Mughawayr Al-Bahar (Syrian Marines) – imposed full control over 3 more villages surrounding the rebel stronghold of Kinsibba after an intense battle with the extremist rebels of Jabhat Al-Nusra (Syrian Al-Qaeda group), Harakat Ahrar Al-Sham, and the Free Syrian Army (FSA).

According to the field correspondent Eyad Al-Hussein, the Syrian Commandos and their allies captured the villages of Al-Qastal, Marj Al-Zawiyah, and Beit Jinarawo near Kinsibba’s western flank, killing over 20 enemy combatants in the process of their advance.

The Syrian Armed Forces are currently attempting to encircle the remaining rebels from Jabhat Al-Nusra, Harakat Ahrar Al-Sham and the Free Syrian Army’s “1st Coastal Brigade” that are still posted in Kinsibba and its surrounding hills. This attack is very similar to their offensive at Al-Rabi’yah – they are leaving one road open for the rebels to retreat in order to expedite the battle.