1,000 fighter from Assad’s town Qardaha killed during the conflict

Nearly 1,000 fighters from al-Qardaha, Bashar al-Assad’s hometown, have been killed during the three-year conflict, pro-regime websites reported.

The traditional home of the Assad family, which has ruled Syria since 1970, is  a main supplier for Shabiha militia.

Activists said the town in the mountains overlooking the coastal town of Latakia, believed to be the last bulwark for Assad's family.

Months ago, Islamist fighters rocked the town with missiles for the first time what sparked a state of fear and panic amid its people.

Syria's three-year conflict began as popular protests against four decades of Assad family rule but changed into armed insurgency under a security force crackdown.

More than 162,000 people killed and over 9million forced to flee their homes.