Home
Syrian government forces retake one of the last major rebel strongholds in Latakia
Google Maps/Amanda Macias/Business Insider
Syrian pro-government forces recaptured a key rebel-held town in coastal Latakia province on Sunday, building on battlefield advances in the area ahead of planned peace talks this week in Geneva between Damascus and Syria's opposition.
Government troops and militiamen, supported by Moscow's air power and joined on the ground by Lebanese Hezbollah fighters and Iranian forces, have pressed offensives in the west and northwest of the country in recent months, seeking to reverse gains made by insurgents last year.
The latest advance comes ahead of peace talks originally set for Monday but which now look likely to be delayed, partly due to a dispute over the opposition negotiating team's composition. The opposition has also said Russia must stop bombing civilian areas and Damascus must lift sieges before it will join talks.
The recapture of the town of Rabiya in Latakia province has paved the way for an advance up to the border with Turkey, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. Syrian state television confirmed Rabiya's capture.
Turkey supports insurgents battling the forces of President Bashar al-Assad, who has the backing of Russia and Iran.
The Observatory described Rabiya as the "second most important base for (rebel) fighters in the northern Latakia countryside" after the town of Salma, which pro-government forces seized earlier this month in one of the most significant advances since Russia joined the fight.
The US has said it is confident the talks in Geneva will go ahead this week despite continued disagreements.
Lead opposition negotiator Mohamad Alloush said Kerry had put pressure on them to attend the Geneva peace talks in order to negotiate a halt to Russian bombardments, the lifting of blockades and the release of detainees - measures it has insisted must be implemented before any negotiations go ahead.
"Kerry came to pressure us to give up our humanitarian rights," Alloush, a politburo member of rebel group Jaysh al-Islam (Islam Army), told Reuters.
"There will be a big response to these pressures," he told Reuters, without elaborating.
Asked about the chances of negotiations going ahead, he said: "We leave this to the coming hours."
Earlier a Western diplomat said talks would be unlikely to begin before Wednesday, with the opposition negotiating team formed after a conference in Saudi Arabia last month taking stock in Riyadh until Tuesday.
The United Nations has said it would not issue invitations to talks until major powers reach agreement on which rebel representatives should attend. UN envoy Staffan de Mistura had been expected to issue invitations on Sunday.
Syrian armed rebel groups said on Saturday they held the Syrian government and Russia responsible for any failure of talks.
US Vice President Joe Biden said on Saturday that the US and Turkey were prepared for a military solution against Islamic State in Syria should the Syrian government and rebels fail to reach a political settlement.
Washington is waging an air campaign against the jihadists in areas they control in northern and eastern Syria.
Russia is separately striking Islamic State, including in Deir al-Zor province, where the Syrian Observatory said on Sunday raids believed to be carried out by Russian jets killed 63 people.
The Syrian conflict, which began in 2011, has killed an estimated 250,000 people and displaced a further 11 million.
(Additional reporting by Tom Perry in Beirut and John Irish in Paris; Editing by Digby Lidstone and Gareth Jones)
http://www.businessinsider.com/syrian-government-forces-retake-the-last-rebel-stronghold-in-latakia-2016-1?utm_source=feedburner&%3Butm_medium=referral&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+businessinsider+%28Business+Insider%29
Google Maps/Amanda Macias/Business InsiderSyrian pro-government forces recaptured a key rebel-held town in coastal Latakia province on Sunday, building on battlefield advances in the area ahead of planned peace talks this week in Geneva between Damascus and Syria's opposition.
Government troops and militiamen, supported by Moscow's air power and joined on the ground by Lebanese Hezbollah fighters and Iranian forces, have pressed offensives in the west and northwest of the country in recent months, seeking to reverse gains made by insurgents last year.
The latest advance comes ahead of peace talks originally set for Monday but which now look likely to be delayed, partly due to a dispute over the opposition negotiating team's composition. The opposition has also said Russia must stop bombing civilian areas and Damascus must lift sieges before it will join talks.
The recapture of the town of Rabiya in Latakia province has paved the way for an advance up to the border with Turkey, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. Syrian state television confirmed Rabiya's capture.
Turkey supports insurgents battling the forces of President Bashar al-Assad, who has the backing of Russia and Iran.
The Observatory described Rabiya as the "second most important base for (rebel) fighters in the northern Latakia countryside" after the town of Salma, which pro-government forces seized earlier this month in one of the most significant advances since Russia joined the fight.
Talks deadline approaching
The US has said it is confident the talks in Geneva will go ahead this week despite continued disagreements.
Lead opposition negotiator Mohamad Alloush said Kerry had put pressure on them to attend the Geneva peace talks in order to negotiate a halt to Russian bombardments, the lifting of blockades and the release of detainees - measures it has insisted must be implemented before any negotiations go ahead.
"Kerry came to pressure us to give up our humanitarian rights," Alloush, a politburo member of rebel group Jaysh al-Islam (Islam Army), told Reuters.
"There will be a big response to these pressures," he told Reuters, without elaborating.
Asked about the chances of negotiations going ahead, he said: "We leave this to the coming hours."
Earlier a Western diplomat said talks would be unlikely to begin before Wednesday, with the opposition negotiating team formed after a conference in Saudi Arabia last month taking stock in Riyadh until Tuesday.
The United Nations has said it would not issue invitations to talks until major powers reach agreement on which rebel representatives should attend. UN envoy Staffan de Mistura had been expected to issue invitations on Sunday.
Syrian armed rebel groups said on Saturday they held the Syrian government and Russia responsible for any failure of talks.
US Vice President Joe Biden said on Saturday that the US and Turkey were prepared for a military solution against Islamic State in Syria should the Syrian government and rebels fail to reach a political settlement.
Washington is waging an air campaign against the jihadists in areas they control in northern and eastern Syria.
Russia is separately striking Islamic State, including in Deir al-Zor province, where the Syrian Observatory said on Sunday raids believed to be carried out by Russian jets killed 63 people.
The Syrian conflict, which began in 2011, has killed an estimated 250,000 people and displaced a further 11 million.
(Additional reporting by Tom Perry in Beirut and John Irish in Paris; Editing by Digby Lidstone and Gareth Jones)
http://www.businessinsider.com/syrian-government-forces-retake-the-last-rebel-stronghold-in-latakia-2016-1?utm_source=feedburner&%3Butm_medium=referral&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+businessinsider+%28Business+Insider%29
» MM&C The Iraqi Private Banks Association told NEWS: These are the results of the Prime Minister’s me
» After a break of more than 9 years.. the resumption of a government trade meeting between Iraq and A
» Deputy: The general amnesty law will be passed
» A change in the fuel smuggling map... “control” over the central ports and “laxity” in the north
» Al-Sudani takes three urgent decisions to block the wheat mafias in Iraq
» Electricity embarks on an 11-axis plan to develop the energy sector
» “Thug and smuggler.” A female representative talks about a crocodile in Parliament blackmailing exec
» Al-Sudani told the US State Department: Iraq is keen to strengthen its democratic system
» The Central Bank sells more than $275 million at auction today
» The Minister of Commerce stresses the observance of the Iraqi standard in the supply of goods
» The Iraqi Trade Bank announces its participation in the process of localizing the salaries of Kurdis
» Iraq adopts an advanced system to combat money laundering and terrorist financing
» Increase in Euphrates River levels due to Turkish water releases
» Demands the need to legislate the capital law
» Parliament decided to extend the legislative term by one month
» A bank participating in the process of localizing the salaries of employees in the region
» Parliamentary request to the Ministry of Finance regarding defense mobilization dues/document
» Dollar prices in Baghdad and Kurdistan today
» Al-Rasheed decides to increase the ceiling for granting “construction” loans to 75 million dinars
» A government plan to expand the construction of water harvesting dams
» Frozen or banned? An Iranian official reveals the fate of Tehran’s money in Baghdad
» The Iraqi Trade Bank participates in the process of localizing the salaries of Kurdistan Region empl
» Finance confirms the Iraqi government's desire to benefit from the expertise of French companies
» After targeting its branch in Kurdistan... Dana Gas announces a decrease in its profits to $38 milli
» A parliamentary understanding to extend the legislative term to approve the 2024 budget schedules
» Stopping the Commission’s procedures regarding the region’s elections
» Foreign oil companies violate Iraqi laws
» The position of Speaker of Parliament depends on the political agreement
» The Ministry of Finance decides to send the April salary to the Kurdistan region
» It did not reach the Council.. Parliament determines the mechanisms for dealing with the 2024 budget
» 88 projects awaiting resolution.. What will happen to the stalled laws in Parliament? - Urgent
» Al-Sudani receives the US Undersecretary of State
» It did not reach the Council.. Parliament determines the mechanisms for dealing with the 2024 budget
» Advisor to Al-Sudani: Sanctions on 32 private banks caused financial problems inside Iraq (video)
» An expert comments on the use of the Iraqi currency in commercial transactions with Iran
» Why does Iraq depend on foreign banks for dollar transfers?
» Deputy: The fuel smuggling map in Iraq has “radically changed” from what it was years ago
» Petroleum Products announces a decrease in gasoline imports by about 8 million liters
» Government advisor: Collections will shift almost completely to electronic payment in the middle of
» Complete decisions of the Council of Ministers session
» Al-Sudani chairs the first meeting to restructure the government apparatus
» The National University holds its second international scientific conference with the participation
» Parliamentary proposals to extend the legislative term of the House of Representatives to resolve th
» Hanoun: We are working on preparing a six-year strategy to combat corruption based on technology
» The Ministerial Council for the Economy decides to stop the import of 6 crops due to their abundance
» Minister of Industry: He turned to Chinese companies to supply Iraq with spongy iron ores
» A foreign report reveals the existence of an undeclared Iraqi-British agreement regarding asylum see
» “Fares Issa” visits the Ministry of Finance and Economy in the Kurdistan Region
» Nechirvan Barzani: We want to address all problems with Iran and begin a new phase of relations
» The position of Speaker of Parliament.. Representatives confirm: “There is no amendment to the bylaw
» Demands to put an end to foreign workers
» Iranian official: We do not have frozen funds in Iraq
» Entering 31 countries in the world without a visa.. A look at the Iraqi passport during 2024
» An Iranian plan to export goods to Iraq worth $3 billion
» The Board of Commissioners decides to suspend the technical and financial procedures for the Kurdist
» Baghdad Governorate approves the two paths of the development road
» Mawazine publishes the full decisions of the Council of Ministers at its session today
» Asaib: The Sunnis are accustomed to having an external actor leading them
» The Iranian ambassador in Baghdad: The Sudanese government enjoys the support of the Shiite and Sunn
» Politician: Representatives of Taqadum “hurt” Al-Halbousi and their party
» “Deficit” is the password.. Parliamentary Finance decodes the budget delay
» Al-Sudani: The tourism sector will be a substitute resource for oil in the coming years
» Finance confirms the Iraqi government's desire to benefit from the expertise of French companies
» utube 5/4/24 MM&C Iraq Dinar- IQD Update - No Float of Exchange Rate - Budget -2024 - Schedules -
» After a break of more than 9 years.. the resumption of a government trade meeting between Iraq and A
» A deputy in finance expects the Council of Ministers to approve the budget schedules in today’s sess
» A deputy resolves the controversy over the “transfer supplement” in two ministries
» Al-Halbousi’s “vacant” seat.. Will the coordination framework end the “Taqaddum” dream of an allianc
» The Federal Government issues a state order to stop the Commission’s work procedures regarding the K
» Including the freedom to choose the bank and withdraw the salary for “free”... “My Account” features
» The Central Bank sells more than $250 million during its daily auction
» Al-Sudani receives a delegation from the Union of Arab Banks
» Iraq and the United States of America hold trade meetings in Washington
» In pictures... The activities of the Union of Arab Banks conference in Baghdad, “Day Two”
» The Director General of Ports announces the completion of berths (3) and (4) in Al-Faw Grand Port
» The Council of Ministers holds its regular session headed by Al-Sudani
» Parliament publishes the agenda of its session for next Thursday
» A government measure to reduce "money laundering" using the buying and selling of real estate in Ira
» Iraq proposes establishing a specialized council to combat corruption in Arab countries
» Al-Mawarid intends to establish infrastructure and investment projects for the water sector in Iraq
» The Federal Court issues a decision regarding postponing the election of the Speaker of the House of
» A government meeting to discuss financing and implementation mechanisms for the Development Road Pro
» Al-Sudani: Iraqi banks are on the right track with financial transfers
» Al-Khazali: The Turkish side is still imposing its conditions on Iraq
» Rights: We refuse to amend the bylaws of Parliament under political influence and desires
» Nechirvan Barzani: We want to address all problems with Iran and begin a new phase of relations
» Today, Iraq and Iran signed the minutes of a joint meeting related to trade
» KPMG International begins auditing the revenues of telephone companies operating in Iraq
» Oil: The seventh batch of equipment for the gas manufacturing project in the Nasiriyah and Gharraf f
» Al-Sudani assures the French ambassador of Iraq’s openness to “fruitful” partnerships
» Government move to install gold screening devices at 4 airports
» Sudanese Advisor: The oil sector is witnessing a rapid renaissance
» Opening offices specialized in employing people with disabilities
» Infrastructure and investment projects for the water sector in Iraq
» Adopting the electronic system in the next census
» Al-Sudani chairs the first meeting to restructure the government apparatus
» Business Council: Efforts to open a branch of the Chinese Bank in Iraq
» Iraqi diplomacy is balanced openness