Damascus, Aug 26 (IANS): At least 70 rebels were killed and 40 others wounded by Syrian airstrikes in Latakia on Wednesday, amid ongoing military showdown near the area of Ghab Plains, the state-run SANA news agency reported.

The Syrian warplanes heavily struck positions of the Al Qaida-linked Nusra Front and affiliated militant groups in the northeastern countryside of Latakia, mainly in the towns of Rwaisat al-Malouha, Kitef Hariq and Jib al-Ahmar in the far northeastern part of Latakia, adjacent to the provinces of Idlib and Hama, said SANA.

At least 70 terrorists were killed in the intensified airstrikes, SANA added.

It said the town of Jib al-Ahmar was regarded as a main stronghold and assembly point for the rebels at the outskirts of Ghab Plains, where intense battles were raging there also amid the progress of rebel groups in that specific part of the country.

SANA said the military operation in northern Latakia aims at severing the rebel supply routes.