Clashes between troops and rebels in Syria's western Latakia province killed 15 soldiers on Tuesday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported, bringing the day's death toll to at least 34. "Fifteen soldiers were killed and dozens wounded, while three opposition fighters also died in continuing clashes in several villages of Al-Heffa region in Latakia," the Observatory's Rami Abdel Rahman told AFP.
Two civilians were also killed in the province. The clashes took place in the villages of Bakas, Shirkak, Babna, Al-Jankil, and Al-Dafil in the Al-Heffa region, while troops stormed the town of Al-Heffa itself, according to Abdel Rahman. State news agency SANA reported that "armed terrorist groups attacked citizens and security forces on Tuesday in Al-Heffa and tried to sabotage public and private institutions after the destruction of two ambulances used by medics in the city."