At least 22 killed by militant shelling in Syria’s Latakia: state media

Shelling by Syrian militants has left at least 22 people dead in the coastal government stronghold of Latakia, the Associated Press reported Tuesday, citing a Syrian state TV broadcast.

The broadcast said two shells fired by unidentified militants landed near Tishrin University Tuesday afternoon, AP reported.

According to AP, footage appeared to show at least one car on fire and several others hit with shrapnel. Blood could be seen on the road.

In recent weeks, Syrian government forces have clashed with militants in the mountains surrounding Latakia with the support of Russian airstrikes.

The eastern coastal region of Latakia is a stronghold of embattled Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, and has been the target of several rocket and mortar attacks over the past week, AP reported.