Several Syrian Arab Army (SAA) soldiers were killed on Monday, June 17 when a group of militants snuck behind enemy lines to carry out an ambush in northern Latakia, Al-Masdar News reports.

According to a source in Latakia, the militants made their way to the hills surrounding Al-Haffa, where they later ambushed a Syrian Army unit.

At least 7 Syrian Army soldiers were killed during the ambush near Al-Haffa, the source told Al-Masdar.

Following the ambush, the militants quickly retreated north in order to evade a confrontation with the Syrian Army reinforcements that arrived on the scene.