The Alawite heartland has suffered huge losses in light of the Assad regime's efforts to boost its falling troop numbers
At least 24 regime troops from the province of Tartous were killed in the last two weeks by the Islamic State (ISIS) and rebel groups, according to pro-regime news feeds.
The death toll included six officers and 18 soldiers killed in Deir-ez-Zor, Idleb, Hama and the Eastern Ghouta suburbs.
Five troops were killed on New Year’s Eve in the town of Harasta as rebels surrounded the strategic Al-Morakabat base.