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Syrian Army Pushes Extremists out of Key Areas Bordering Turkey

© AP Photo / Alexander KotsIn this photo taken on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015, Syrian army personnel fire a cannon in Latakia province, about 12 miles from the border with Turkey in Syria
In this photo taken on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015, Syrian army personnel fire a cannon in Latakia province, about 12 miles from the border with Turkey in Syria - Sputnik International
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The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) assisted by Russian forces and Hezbollah fighters is on a roll in northern Latakia, pushing extremists out of strategic areas close to the Syrian border with Turkey, where the Russian Su-24 bomber was shot down earlier this week.

"The Syrian forces' operations in the northern parts of Latakia, near the border with Turkey, have gained much success in recent days and the [Sunni] militant groups are retreating from most of their position," the Fars news agency reported.

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Damascus-led forces freed al-Rahmalia and al-Khidr hills, as well as Tal Sifah and Tal al-Malouha, killing an undisclosed number of extremist fighters and destroying militant infrastructure.

Following days of intense fighting, the SAA has reportedly taken al-Markashileh and Jab al-Ahmar regions under control. On Friday, Damascus-led forces managed to push militant fighters from Tal Sifah and Tal al-Malouha in northern Latakia.

Earlier this week, the Syrian Army reportedly killed three senior commanders of the Free Syrian Army in the province of Latakia. One of them, Rasheed Bikdash, who the media outlet described as one of the "Mujahidin Army" leaders, is said to be "the highest-ranking defector" from the SAA.

© Sputnik / Dmitriy Vinogradov / Go to the mediabankRussia's Su-24 aircraft takes off from Syria's Hmeimim airbase.
Russian military aircraft at Syria's Hmeimim airfield - Sputnik International
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Russia's Su-24 aircraft takes off from Syria's Hmeimim airbase.
© Sputnik / Dmitriy Vinogradov / Go to the mediabankRussian pilots of the Su-34 at the Hmeimim base in Syria.
Russian war planes at Hmeimim base in Syria - Sputnik International
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Russian pilots of the Su-34 at the Hmeimim base in Syria.
© Sputnik / Dmitriy Vinogradov / Go to the mediabankSu-25 attack planes take off at Hmeimim aerodrome in Syria.
Russian tactical group seen at Hmeimim aerodrome in Syria - Sputnik International
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Su-25 attack planes take off at Hmeimim aerodrome in Syria.
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Russia's Su-24 aircraft takes off from Syria's Hmeimim airbase.
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Russian pilots of the Su-34 at the Hmeimim base in Syria.
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Su-25 attack planes take off at Hmeimim aerodrome in Syria.

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Various radical groups, including ISIL and al-Nusra Front, have been trying to overthrow the government of Bashar al-Assad for nearly five years. On September 30, Russia launched an aerial campaign sending Su-24M, Su-25 and Su-34 warplanes to conduct precision strikes on ISIL and other terrorist targets in Syria at the request of Damascus.

On November 24, a Turkish F-16 shot down the Su-24, claiming that the aircraft had violated its airspace. Russian officials and the Su-24 pilot, who survived the crash, insist that the plane did not cross into Turkey. The crew, according to the pilot, did not receive any warning prior to the attack.

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