Russia: 50 Syrian troops killed in attack Northwest Syria

MOSCOW, Jan 23 (KUNA) -- Gunmen have attacked positions of the Syrian government troops in Syrian northwestern region of Idlib, killing up to 50 troops, the Russian military said on Thursday.
More than 600 armed men launched assaults via various axes on the government forces' strongholds in the mountainous region, prompting many troops to evacuate the outposts, said the Russian Reconciliation Center for Syria in a statement More than 80 other soldiers were wounded in the multi-pronged offensive, it said, adding that the attackers suffered up to 60 deaths.
The Russian center said the attacking gunmen belonged to the Turkistan Islamic Party.
The center is a joint Turkish-Russian enterprise founded in agreement with the US-led coalition and is headquartered at the Russian air base in Hmaimeem, Latakia, a port city located on Syria's northern coast.
A large number of armed Syrian gunmen have moved from various regions of the country to Idlib. Some have shifted to the region, in line with understanding coordination with the government. (end) as.rk