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.
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/syrian-government-retakes-strategic-town-of-kassab-on-turkish-border-state-tv.aspx?PageID=238&NID=67803&NewsCatID=352