VIDEO: FSA engaged in Syrian government offensive in Hama
Syrian government forces launched an offensive in Hama province on Wednesday supported by Russian air and naval bombardment of various rebel positions.
In its latest demonstration of its military capabilities, Russian naval assets fired 26 cruise missiles from the Caspian Sea striking 11 targets in Syria 1,500 kilometres away.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russian air and naval strikes "will be synchronised with the actions of the Syrian army on the ground... [which] will effectively support the offensive operation of the Syrian army".
The offensive launched in co-ordination with Russia is intended to challenge Syrian rebel positions in Hama that borders Latakia province which is under the control of the government of President Bashar al-Assad.
Although Russian sources said that these latest strikes were targeting Islamic State (IS) military positions and assets, a video, which could not be independently verified, was uploaded to YouTube by the Free Syrian Army's (FSA) 13th Division showing FSA fighters firing an anti-tank TOW missile at a convoy of armoured vehicles in Hama's countryside at Al-Masasneh, successfully striking what appears to be a Russian-made Syrian army T-62 battle tank.
The London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said that the main thrust of the Syrian government's offensive was focused on the area around the village of Latmeen, which is controlled by the Army of Conquest coalition of Syrian rebels that includes the Nusra Front. The Army of Conquest has sought to expand its area of military control into northern Hama from its positions in Idlib province in order to threaten Assad's coastal stronghold of Latakia.
In signs that the Syrian army's operation is designed to protect Latakia, a Syrian military source said that "the Syrian army in its latest operations is working on cutting off the southern parts of Idlib province from the northern parts of Hama province".
Russia began airstrikes in Syria last month after an extensive military build up in the country.
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