(Zaman Al Wasl)- A prominent Saudi Jihadist, who leads the offensive on Bashar al-Assad's ancestral homeland in the coastal province of Latakia, says the rocket campaign on Qardaha town to be continued as regime army extends its brutal attack on border city with Lebanon.
Abdullah al-Muhaysini, one of the most active foreign jihadists in Syria, assured to Zaman al-Wasl that Assad's hometown of al-Qardaha and nearby villages to be rocked by Fatah Army's missiles and mortar shells as (Hizbul Shaitan or Devil party), in reference to Lebanese militia Hezbollah, continues its offensive on Zabadani town west of Damscus.
Al- Muhaysini said, "the next days will be more bitter and tougher since your brothers (rebels) are preparing to destroy the Alawite villages.
Local source told Zaman al-Wasl that 8 soldiers were wounded in missile attacks on al-Elliya neighborhood in Qardaha on Sunday.
Qardaha is the traditional home of the Assad family, which has ruled Syria since 1970, was a main supplier for Shabiha militia.
The village in the mountains overlooking the coastal town of Latakia, believed to be the last bulwark for Assad's family.
Last week, regime army said it had stepped up air strikes and retaken villages in a new offensive on Islamist insurgents in Latakia.
Activists said Assad’s main mission now is to rebuild trust. Some Alawites social media activists called for a new man to protect them.
Aerial bombardment had intensified in a bid to cut rebel supply lines in rugged territory close to Turkey's border, an army source was quoted as saying on state media.
The army said five villages and hilltops, including Beit Khadour, Beit Zaifa, Tel alKhadar and Jabal al Rahmaliya, had been wrested back from the insurgents, bringing it closer to the border areas, Reuters reported.
Sunni Muslim jihadists, including al Qaeda's Syrian offshoot the Nusra Front, control many villages in the borderlands north of the government-held Mediterranean port city of Latakia and other areas dominated by Alawites, who follow an offshoot of Shi'ite Islam.
The army had stepped up its campaign in the province since insurgents took the strategically located town of Jisr al Shughour in April, strengthening their position in a mountain range that overlooks Alawite villages and close to Qardaha.
The rough terrain and heavy forests has allowed the Sunni jihadist rebels to resist heavy Syrian army shelling and withstand heavy aerial bombing, defense analysts say.
Separately, at least 600 army defectors from al-Qardaha were among a wanted list issued by Syrian regime and includes name of 21,000 defectors.
The new wanted list that leaked to media has included names of 21000 defectors who escaped fighting in the ranks of Syrian regime forces.
Unconfirmed figures say around 100,000 soldiers and militant loyal to al-Assad have been killed in four-year armed conflict.
The newly high record of defectors has reflected the amounting outrage of Assad’s fellow Alawite sect, especially in his hometown of Qardaha near Latakia.
More than 3,000 fighters from Qardaha have been killed during the conflict, activists say.
Meanwhile, More than 250,000 people killed and over 12 million forced to flee their homes. (Editing by Ridha Ali)
Abdullah al-Muhaysini, one of the most active foreign jihadists in Syria, assured to Zaman al-Wasl that Assad's hometown of al-Qardaha and nearby villages to be rocked by Fatah Army's missiles and mortar shells as (Hizbul Shaitan or Devil party), in reference to Lebanese militia Hezbollah, continues its offensive on Zabadani town west of Damscus.
Al- Muhaysini said, "the next days will be more bitter and tougher since your brothers (rebels) are preparing to destroy the Alawite villages.
Local source told Zaman al-Wasl that 8 soldiers were wounded in missile attacks on al-Elliya neighborhood in Qardaha on Sunday.
Qardaha is the traditional home of the Assad family, which has ruled Syria since 1970, was a main supplier for Shabiha militia.
The village in the mountains overlooking the coastal town of Latakia, believed to be the last bulwark for Assad's family.
Last week, regime army said it had stepped up air strikes and retaken villages in a new offensive on Islamist insurgents in Latakia.
Activists said Assad’s main mission now is to rebuild trust. Some Alawites social media activists called for a new man to protect them.
Aerial bombardment had intensified in a bid to cut rebel supply lines in rugged territory close to Turkey's border, an army source was quoted as saying on state media.
The army said five villages and hilltops, including Beit Khadour, Beit Zaifa, Tel alKhadar and Jabal al Rahmaliya, had been wrested back from the insurgents, bringing it closer to the border areas, Reuters reported.
Sunni Muslim jihadists, including al Qaeda's Syrian offshoot the Nusra Front, control many villages in the borderlands north of the government-held Mediterranean port city of Latakia and other areas dominated by Alawites, who follow an offshoot of Shi'ite Islam.
The army had stepped up its campaign in the province since insurgents took the strategically located town of Jisr al Shughour in April, strengthening their position in a mountain range that overlooks Alawite villages and close to Qardaha.
The rough terrain and heavy forests has allowed the Sunni jihadist rebels to resist heavy Syrian army shelling and withstand heavy aerial bombing, defense analysts say.
Separately, at least 600 army defectors from al-Qardaha were among a wanted list issued by Syrian regime and includes name of 21,000 defectors.
The new wanted list that leaked to media has included names of 21000 defectors who escaped fighting in the ranks of Syrian regime forces.
Unconfirmed figures say around 100,000 soldiers and militant loyal to al-Assad have been killed in four-year armed conflict.
The newly high record of defectors has reflected the amounting outrage of Assad’s fellow Alawite sect, especially in his hometown of Qardaha near Latakia.
More than 3,000 fighters from Qardaha have been killed during the conflict, activists say.
Meanwhile, More than 250,000 people killed and over 12 million forced to flee their homes. (Editing by Ridha Ali)
Zaman Al Wasl
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