Russian soldiers reportedly fighting in Syria's Latakia

Russian soldiers are fighting alongside the Syrian government forces in Syria's coastal province of Latakia, a monitor group reported on Saturday.

Russian operation room commanded by Russian officers is supervising the Syrian forces' battles against the rebels in the northern countryside of Latakia, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The London-based watchdog group said Russian soldiers are also taking part in the battles in Latakia, where the Syrian forces have been making notable progress against an array of jihadi groups.

Meanwhile, state news agency SANA said the Syrian army continued its progress in northern Latakia on Saturday, capturing seven new towns, and becoming close to the strategic town of Rabi'a, a main rebel bastion north of Latakia, near Turkey.

SANA said rebel groups in the northern countryside of Latakia include the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front, the Ahrar al-Sahel, or Freemen of the Coast, and the rebels Brigade Sultan Abdul-Hamid, who are backed by Turkey.

The Russian air force has been striking the positions of the ultra-radical groups in Syria since last September. The Syrian government hails the strikes as efficient in curbing the expansion of the terrorist groups, while the opposition accuse the Russians of targeting civilians as well.

Russia previously said its military experts were on ground in Syria, however, reports of Russian soldiers fighting is something new. Endit