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InterAksyon
June 15 2014
Syria govt retakes strategic town on Turkey border: army
By: Agence France-Presse
June 16, 2014 3:48 AM
DAMASCUS - Syria's army said Sunday it had recaptured the strategic
town of Kasab and 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 Kasab this morning," an
army statement said.
Kasab, an Armenian town, is important because it is at the only border
crossing with Turkey in sensitive Latakia province, heartland of the
Alawite sect from which President Bashar al-Assad hails.
On Sunday, a state television reporter broadcast a stand-up from the
recaptured border crossing. The channel accused rebel backers Ankara
and Doha of providing "terrorists" (rebels) with ambulances to
transport their wounded.
Activists and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights say Kasab was
retaken a day after rebels including members of Syrian Al-Qaeda
affiliate Al-Nusra Front withdrew without a fight, 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 Sunday, the Britain-based Observatory said, pro-regime forces were
back in control of Kasab -- the first time since it fell 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,
the Observatory said.
Rebels were short on supplies and experienced Hezbollah fighters and
Syrian special forces were able to advance, its director Rami Abdel
Rahman said.
Under frequent bombardment by government forces, Kasab 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 to seize Kasab.
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/89172/syria-govt-retakes-strategic-town-on-turkey-border-army
From: A. Papazian
June 15 2014
Syria govt retakes strategic town on Turkey border: army
By: Agence France-Presse
June 16, 2014 3:48 AM
DAMASCUS - Syria's army said Sunday it had recaptured the strategic
town of Kasab and 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 Kasab this morning," an
army statement said.
Kasab, an Armenian town, is important because it is at the only border
crossing with Turkey in sensitive Latakia province, heartland of the
Alawite sect from which President Bashar al-Assad hails.
On Sunday, a state television reporter broadcast a stand-up from the
recaptured border crossing. The channel accused rebel backers Ankara
and Doha of providing "terrorists" (rebels) with ambulances to
transport their wounded.
Activists and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights say Kasab was
retaken a day after rebels including members of Syrian Al-Qaeda
affiliate Al-Nusra Front withdrew without a fight, 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 Sunday, the Britain-based Observatory said, pro-regime forces were
back in control of Kasab -- the first time since it fell 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,
the Observatory said.
Rebels were short on supplies and experienced Hezbollah fighters and
Syrian special forces were able to advance, its director Rami Abdel
Rahman said.
Under frequent bombardment by government forces, Kasab 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 to seize Kasab.
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/89172/syria-govt-retakes-strategic-town-on-turkey-border-army
From: A. Papazian