LATAKIA, Syria — Leaving Damascus is no longer an easy journey these days; the Syrian regime has erected dozens of military checkpoints between the northern entrance of the capital and the international highway to inspect the documents and luggage of travelers. Through these inspections, the regime is trying to catch those evading compulsory military service and those opposing the regime. This is making the trip tougher, longer and more perilous.
After waiting for two hours at regime checkpoints to leave the capital, Al-Monitor took the Damascus-Aleppo international highway to go to Latakia province, 385 kilometers (239 miles) northwest of Damascus. We then safely drove via the Harasta Highway in the northern countryside of Damascus, with the knowledge that it is often targeted by opposition snipers. At the regime's checkpoints, our official documents were thoroughly inspected. Six hours later, we reached Latakia province, whose countryside has recently witnessed significant progress on the part of the Syrian regime forces.
The regime-controlled city of Latakia seemed quiet. There were no sounds of nearby clashes or opposition shells falling onto its neighborhoods, considering that the regime — with the help of Russian air cover — took control on Jan. 12 of the town of Salma, 48 kilometers (30 miles) northeast of Latakia, and deemed as the main location from which missiles were fired by opposition fighters into Latakia.
This was confirmed by journalist Hani Haidar, whom Al-Monitor met at his office in Latakia. Haidar covered the regime operations that were aimed at controlling Salma.