Damascus, Syria – Forces loyal to the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad established the so-called “Brigade 103″, composed of seven battalions of the regime’s army, in order to fight the armed opposition in the countryside of Latakia, pro-regime military sources reported on Friday.
Brigade 103 includes in its ranks renowned pro-Assad officers and members from the Syrian Republican Guard, beside a group of volunteers known as the “Coastal Shield”.
“The pro-Assad armed faction is now ready to defeat Islamist rebels in the countryside of Latakia,” a local activist quoted an officer in the newly formed Brigade 103 as saying.
Speaking to ARA News in Latakia, media activist Abu ward al-Laziqani said that the “Coastal Shield” group has recently mobilized more than 2000 members in the suburbs of Latakia.
“However, they will not change the course of the battle.The threat of the opposition forces won’t be easily eliminated. Yet Assad supporters remain hopeful with the newly established Brigade 103,” he added.
Laziqani reported that clashes renewed Thursday between opposition fighters and pro-Assad forces in Qastal village in the countryside of Latakia, causing a number of casualties in the ranks of the regime’s army.