Syrian rebels recapture Burj Zahiyah in Mount Turkmen

(Zaman Al Wasl)- Syrian Turkmen rebels have recaptured Burj Zahiyah mountain in Mount Turkmen late on Thursday after a fierce fighting with Syrian regime troops backed by Shiite militants near the Turkish border.

Burj al Zahiyah, which based in the main stronghold of Turkmen minority in the mountainous Latakia province, was seized by regime army hours before. Meanwhile clashes are still underway near Gamam village in Mount Turkmen, activists said.

Regime major offensive on Mount Turkmen is bolstered by the deadly Russian airstrikes that were a clear reprisal for the downed jet.

Media outlets reported hysterical aerial bombardment by Russia on rebel bastions on Friday.

Activists said Turkmen factions, who were among the first to take up arms against Bashar al-Assad forces, are in urgent need for ammunition and military support to face Russia-led offensive.

According to AP, there are no official statistics on the size of the Turkmen minority in Syria but most estimates say Turkmens number around 100,000. They speak an old version of the Turkish language called the Turkmen language.