Three people, including Anadolu Agency reporter Sevket Akca, were injured in a mine-clearing explosion in Latakia, Syria; the soldier among them lost a leg, while the journalists are stable.

Editor's note: Russian military-political analyst, expert in the field of strategic security, specialist in the Middle East and Africa Vladimir Bekish. The article expresses the personal opinion of the author and may not coincide with the view of News.Az.

The number of civilian casualties as a result of military action between the transitional government forces and rebels in the Syrian provinces of Latakia, Tartus and Homs has increased from 532 to 830 in one day.

More than 70 people were killed and dozens more wounded in Syria during intense fighting between government security forces and militants loyal to ousted ruler Bashar al-Assad, a war monitor announced on Friday.

On Monday, a mine explosion in Syria's Latakia city killed three civilians and injured two others.

Despite the fall of the Bashar Assad regime, Russian forces stationed at Khmeimim Air Base in Syria’s Latakia province continue to carry out activities.

Syria’s armed opposition has reportedly gained full control of the Latakia province, which hosts Russian military bases, according to a local source.

Iran has reportedly started evacuating some of its diplomats and military advisers from Syria, according to unnamed sources.