The Syrian government troops have liberated several villages in Latakia province, including the Armenian-populated village of Ghnemiye, Kantsasar newspaper reports.

The village population fled after militants invaded the settlement four years ago.

Saint George Armenian Apostolic church, built in 1875, is located in Ghnemiye. However, according to senior local residents, the church was renovated in 1875, having been constructed some 300 years prior to that.

Ghnemiye was a prosperous village before the Syrian civil war broke out.