Syrian government forces seized the last major town held by rebels in western Latakia province.

According to the Syrian Observatory, the capture of Rabia poses a greater threat to rebel supply lines from the north and could see pro-government forces advance to the Turkish border. The town's fall comes amid a concerted fightback by the Syrian military, including the recapture of the village of Salma on 12 January.
Russian air strikes played an essential role.

Russian forces played a key role in the recapture of Rabia, according to the UK-based monitoring group, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Syrian government forces say they have seized the last major town held by rebels in western Latakia province.