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Hurriyet Daily News, Turkey
June 15 2014
Syrian government retakes strategic town of Kassab on Turkish border: Army
DAMASCUS - Agence France-Presse
Syria's army said on June 15 it had recaptured the strategic town of
Kassab, near the only border crossing with Turkey in Latakia province,
after it fell to rebels almost three months ago.
"After crushing many members of the mercenary terrorist gangs... units
of our armed troops in collaboration with the (paramilitary) National
Defence Force returned safety and security to Kassab this morning," an
army statement said.
Kassab, an Armenian town, is important because it is located near the
only border crossing with Turkey in sensitive Latakia province, the
heartland of the Alawite sect from which President Bashar al-Assad
hails.
Rebel fighters including members of Syrian al-Qaeda affiliate al-Nusra
Front withdrew without a fight from the town on June 14, the Syrian
Observatory for Human Rights said, leaving only a small number of men
behind.
As they pulled back, Assad's troops backed by other pro-regime groups,
among them Lebanon's powerful Hezbollah, advanced on the nearby
village of Nabaein.
By June 15, the Britain-based Observatory said, pro-regime forces were
back in control of Kassab - the first time since they lost it to
rebels on March 21.
Aside from Hezbollah fighters, the government forces, led by members
of Syria's elite Republican Guard, had been boosted by Iranian troops.
Rebels were short on supplies and experienced Hezbollah fighters and
Syrian special forces were able to advance, Observatory director Rami
Abdel Rahman said.
Under frequent bombardment by government forces, Kassab was important
for rebels who used it as a staging post to transport their wounded to
Turkey, which backs the opposition.
The Syrian government had accused Ankara of helping rebel groups seize Kasab.
June/15/2014
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/syrian-government-retakes-strategic-town-of-kassab-on-turkish-border-army.aspx?pageID=238&nID=67803&NewsCatID=352
June 15 2014
Syrian government retakes strategic town of Kassab on Turkish border: Army
DAMASCUS - Agence France-Presse
Syria's army said on June 15 it had recaptured the strategic town of
Kassab, near the only border crossing with Turkey in Latakia province,
after it fell to rebels almost three months ago.
"After crushing many members of the mercenary terrorist gangs... units
of our armed troops in collaboration with the (paramilitary) National
Defence Force returned safety and security to Kassab this morning," an
army statement said.
Kassab, an Armenian town, is important because it is located near the
only border crossing with Turkey in sensitive Latakia province, the
heartland of the Alawite sect from which President Bashar al-Assad
hails.
Rebel fighters including members of Syrian al-Qaeda affiliate al-Nusra
Front withdrew without a fight from the town on June 14, the Syrian
Observatory for Human Rights said, leaving only a small number of men
behind.
As they pulled back, Assad's troops backed by other pro-regime groups,
among them Lebanon's powerful Hezbollah, advanced on the nearby
village of Nabaein.
By June 15, the Britain-based Observatory said, pro-regime forces were
back in control of Kassab - the first time since they lost it to
rebels on March 21.
Aside from Hezbollah fighters, the government forces, led by members
of Syria's elite Republican Guard, had been boosted by Iranian troops.
Rebels were short on supplies and experienced Hezbollah fighters and
Syrian special forces were able to advance, Observatory director Rami
Abdel Rahman said.
Under frequent bombardment by government forces, Kassab was important
for rebels who used it as a staging post to transport their wounded to
Turkey, which backs the opposition.
The Syrian government had accused Ankara of helping rebel groups seize Kasab.
June/15/2014
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/syrian-government-retakes-strategic-town-of-kassab-on-turkish-border-army.aspx?pageID=238&nID=67803&NewsCatID=352