Syrian armed rebels attack position of Assad’s Army in Latakia, kill 16

Syrian rebel fighters launched on Sunday an offensive on headquarters of the government’s troops in the coastal province of Latakia –heartland of the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

At least 16 pro-Assad soldiers were killed and 30 more wounded in the attack, according to the Army of Conquest–main rebel group fighting in western Syria.

“Our militants infiltrated into the strongholds of pro-Assad troops in the town of Kallz in Kanssaba sub-district in Latakia countryside, after bombing the headquarters with dozens o mortars and rockets,” said spokesman for the Army of Conquest Ali Turkmani in Latakia, Kurdish Indep. News reported.

The Syrian army forces had recently recaptured the town of Kallz after battles with rebel factions there. However, clashes resumed to the area after the rebels started fighting back using heavy weapons.

“We have detained three soldiers after killing 16 and wounding over 30 others. Our fighters have also seized a large deal of ammunition and weapons,” Turkmani said.

The clashes reportedly continued until Sunday midnight, before rebels of the Army of Conquest (aka Jaish al-Fatih) retreated from the town “without suffering any losses”, according to the spokesman.

An officer in the Syrian army, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the rebels’ offensive in Latakia on Sunday, insisting that the army was able to repel the attack, without giving further information on their losses.