HAMA, Syria — The Syrian regime launched a broadscale attack against the opposition forces in the northern countryside of Hama and the countryside of Latakia, under an intense cover by the Russian air force and with the support of the Lebanese Hezbollah. The attack, which is the first Russian-backed move by the regime, included a long line and several axes and aimed to secure the stronghold of the regime on the Syrian coast and limit the influence of the opposition in its vicinity.

Operations started on Oct. 7, as the regime’s military convoys invaded the opposition sites adjacent to the Syrian coast, but the regime officially announced the battle the next day.

In this context, the Syrian army's chief of staff, Gen. Ali Abdullah Ayoub, said in a press statement to the Syrian news agency Sana on Oct. 8 that the Russian airstrikes — which began Sept. 30 — undermined the fighting abilities of the Islamic State (IS) and other terrorist organizations, announcing the formation of a fourth legion raid to initiate a broad attack on what he called terrorist assemblies.

The regime’s offensive may be divided into three main axes: the northern countryside of Latakia, al-Ghab plain and the northern countryside of Hama. IS has no presence in these areas controlled by opposition forces.