EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: Syrian Army Unleashes Heavy Artillery on Terrorists in Latakia

The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) has carried out a successful operation aimed at wearing down the militants in the northern province of Latakia in a series of attacks that forced the rebels to retreat, an unnamed SAA commander told Sputnik.

Damascus-led forces pushed the militants back, closer to the city of Idlib, giving the Syrian Arab Army an opportunity to use heavy artillery against the Army of Conquest, also known as Jaish al-Fatah.

The Army of Conquest is an umbrella organization that was created in March 2015. Al-Nusra Front and Ahrar ash-Sham form the bulk of its forces. It is mainly active in the Idlib province, but has also carried out operations in the provinces of Latakia and Hama. 

The field commander told Sputnik that the SAA pushed the militants out using heavy artillery and warplanes.

The Army of Conquest tried to break through to the town of Kinsabba that was liberated in July. The town has since turned into a government stronghold that the SAA has used to launch counterterrorism operations meant to free Idlib.

"We destroyed more than four vehicles outfitted with machineguns. All terrorists were killed. They were trying to fight their way into Kinsabba to open a new front near the town in a bid to prevent the Syrian Army from advancing in [Latakia and Hama]," he explained.