PodcastSyrian army advances toward Turkish observation post in Idlib
Russian-backed Syrian forces have gained ground in Idlib after a week-long renewed assault against the last rebel enclave in Syria's northwest, gaining more than 20 villages and hilltops and coming close to one of 12 Turkish observation posts in the northwest. Syrian troops neared the observation post outside the village of Surman from three sides and an activist collective has said the government troops were now about 2.5 miles from the Turkish post.
Duvar English
Syrian government forces have captured more ground in the southeastern countryside of Idlib province, getting close to a Turkish observation post in the area.
Syrian troops, advancing from the east toward Maaret al-Numan, neared the Turkish observation post outside the village of Surman from three sides. The Step news agency, an activist collective, said the government troops were now about 2.5 miles from the Turkish post.
Idlib, the last remaining rebel stronghold in Syria that's dominated by al-Qaeda-linked jihadists, has been at the center of a push by Syrian forces under the cover of Russian airstrikes in recent weeks, with more than a dozen villages captured.
The attacks resumed after the recent collapse of a cease-fire that had in force since the end of August.
Syrian state media made no mention of the post but said government forces captured several villages near Maaret al-Numan.
Saraqeb and Maaret al-Numan are two major rebel-held towns on the highway linking the capital, Damascus, with the northern city of Aleppo, Syria’s largest. The two towns have been emptied of civilians since becoming the target of the offensive, which aims to reopen the highway, closed since 2012.
Four months ago, Syrian troops captured all territory around another Turkish post in the village of Morek, also in Idlib province, leaving the Turkish monitors only a nearby road to use.