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By Leith Fadel
Source: The Arab Source
It is hard to determine what has been the Syrian Arab Army’s most successful offensive since the genesis of Russian airstrikes inside the country; however, one could argue that the significant progress in southern Aleppo has given hope to the people of Aleppo City.

Then again, one might argue that the southern Aleppo offensive is mixed with Iraqi paramilitary units and Hezbollah, but the eastern Aleppo front is different, they are purely SAA and this same group lifted the 3 year long siege of the Kuweires Military Airport.

Regardless of preference, the most imperative offensive taking place in Syria is the northern Latakia offensive that is being conducted by the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and their allies from the National Defense Forces (NDF) and the Syrian Social Nationalist Party (SSNP).

Why is this the most important offensive?

It is rather simple: the Syrian Arab Army’s 103rd Brigade of the Republican Guard and their allies are advancing along 3 different fronts in northern Latakia and they are doing so in a very rapid, but efficient manner.

In a matter of 2 and a half months, the Syrian Arab Army’s 103rd Brigade and their allies have seized several kilometers of territory inside Jabal Al-Turkmen (Turkmen Mountains) and Jabal Al-Akrad (Kurdish Mountains), while the Turkish-backed Islamist rebels retreat along several axes.

Yesterday, the Syrian Armed Forces imposed full control over Jabal Al-Nuba (Nuba Mountains); this strategic site was almost untouchable just three months ago and now, it is under the control of the Syrian state government.

In addition to their advance towards the Turkish border, the Syrian Armed Forces are pushing east along the Latakia-Turkish border after capturing Jabal Al-Zahiyah and large parts of the Firlalaq Forests in Jabal Al-Turkmen.

And lastly, the Latakia Governorate is the key to the Syrian government’s maritime shipping industry and the gateway to both the Idlib and Aleppo Governorate’s.

Without sealing Latakia, the strategic city of Jisr Al-Shughour in Idlib would be impregnable and a lost cause for the Syrian Armed Forces; but with the Latakia Governorate sealed off, they will be in prime position to launch an attack.