Syrian Army Destroys al-Nusra Strongholds in Key Areas Near Turkish Border

The Syrian army destroyed al-Nusra Front terrorists' strongholds in the coastal northwestern Syrian province of Latakia located near the Turkish border, FARS news agency reported Sunday.

The operation was carried out in the al-Nuba Mountains, a strategically important location in the Latakia province, according to FNA.

The Syrian government troops killed dozens of al-Nusra Front terrorists during the fight, the agency said.

Earlier on Sunday it was reported that militants were forced to withdraw from the country's mountainous regions near the border with Turkey as result of the Syrian army’s advance.

The Syrian army has managed to liberate a number of key areas in Latakia, with Russia's aerial assistance.

The Russian Aerospace Forces have been carrying out airstrikes against terrorist targets across eight Syrian provinces, including Latakia, at the request of Syrian President Bashar Assad, since September 30.

Syria has been in a state of civil war since 2011, with the country’s government fighting opposition forces and radical Islamist militant groups, including the al-Nusra Front and Daesh, also known as ISIL or Islamic State.