Syrian airstrikes kill 50 rebels in Latakia countryside

The Syrian airstrikes killed over 50 rebels Sunday during raging battles in the countryside of the coastal city of Latakia, state news agency SANA and a monitor group reported.

The airstrikes against the rebel positions north of Latakia were the latest in a series of raging battles in several towns there.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the battles raged in the towns of Katef Ghanameh, Markishliyeh and Jub Ahmar near the hilltop of Nabi Yunes in the northern countryside of Latakia coupled by heavy Syrian airstrikes.

Battles in the northern countryside of Latakia have been incessant since the rebels in the northwestern province of Idlib captured areas adjacent to the coastal city, the hometown of President Bashar al-Assad and the heartland of this Alawite sect, an offshoot of Shiite Islam. Endit