BEIRUT, February 18. /TASS/. The Syrian army and self-defense forces have regained control over the town of Kensaba, the last stronghold of militants to the north of Latakia (320 kilometers from Damascus).
A spokesman for Syrian Armed Forces told SANA news agency on Thursday that Syrian forces also regained control over the Shellef fortress where fire positions of the enemy were situated.
Russia’s military operation becomes turning point in Syria crisis
Military expert and Former Brigadier General of the Lebanese Army Amin Hoteit told TASS earlier that the start of Russia’s military operation in Syria had become a turning point in the armed conflict in the country.
According to Hoteit, Russia’s "military factor" hampered the actions of militants both near and far from frontlines. This allowed to decrease "the rate of supplying weapons, ammunition and people [to militants] through the border [with Turkey] by 60-70%," he added.
"Support from the air considerably increased the opportunities of ground forces to maneuver, and now government forces are close to their aim - border with Turkey through which the main flow of weapons and militants is going," the former general noted.