Heavy Clashes as Syria Regime Advances on Latakia Rebel Town

Syrian government forces edged closer to a key rebel town in the coastal province of Latakia on Friday, backed by Russian air strikes and military advisers, a monitor said.

Soldiers and pro-regime fighters advanced to around five kilometers (three miles) from the town of Rabia, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

Rabia is a major stronghold for rebel forces in the north of Latakia, which is otherwise largely regime-held and a bastion of support for President Bashar Assad.

"If the regime retakes Rabia, it will be able to secure the northern part of Latakia province," said Observatory chief Rami Abdel Rahman.

The advance towards Rabia comes after government troops seized the strategic town of Salma on January 12, after months of operations to capture it from rebels who had held it since 2012.

Salma's fall was one of the first major victories for regime troops since staunch ally Russia began an aerial campaign in support of the government on September 30.

Abdel Rahman said senior Russian military officials were directing the battle for Rabia, and that the town was the last major rebel stronghold in the province.

The monitor reported heavy air strikes and clashes, but had no immediate casualty toll for the fighting.

Rabia has been held by the opposition since 2012 and is controlled by a range of rebel groups including some made up of Syrian Turkmen, as well as al-Qaida affiliate al-Nusra Front.