Syrian army captures key town in Latakia

Syrian forces have stormed a key town in the country's seaside city of Latakia, the hometown of President Bashar al-Assad, state news agency SANA reported on Tuesday.

The military units stormed the southeastern part of the town of Salma and a number of hills surrounding that strategic town in the northeastern countryside of Latakia, said SANA.

It added that the army units are continuing their progress in the countryside of Latakia.

Meanwhile, the pan-Arab al-Mayadeen TV, which has connections on ground, said the entire town fell to the Syrian forces on Tuesday. It added that army units are advancing toward its center.

It said the army broke the rebels' defenses in Salma and pushed into the city from its eastern and southern rims.

Capturing the town deals a big blow to the rebels, who are fighting in the Turkmen Mountains in Latakia, where Turkey-backed militants were fighting against the government forces.

Salma, which has been besieged by the Syrian army for over two years, was regarded as the main stronghold of the rebels in the countryside of Latakia. It posed a threat to Latakia city as it's only 50 kilometers away from the city center. Endit