The Syrian regime army backed by allied Hezbollah militia have advanced in western Syria after heavy Russian airstrikes in areas around the main highway running through major cities, Reuters said on Sunday.
After deadly clashes Bashar al-Assad army military and Lebanese militiamen took control of Tal Skik, a highland area in Idlib province close to rebel-held positions along the highway, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.
Regime-run news agency SANA also said Tal Skik was now under Syrian army control after an "extensive military operation" on the ground backed by Russia air strikes against "terrorist organizations" in the area.
It said the military had destroyed weapons, ammunition and equipment during the offensive and that 50 enemy fighters had been killed in the air strikes. The Observatory and Lebanon-based TV channel al-Mayadeen said a senior Hezbollah fighter had also been killed in clashes.
Idlib is mainly held by the Army of Conquest, an Islamist insurgent alliance that includes al Qaeda's Syria wing Nusra Front but not the ultra hardline Islamic State group Russia says is the focus of its airstrikes which started on Sept 30.
Russian strikes have focused on areas in Hama province and neighboring Idlib where insurgents have advanced in recent months. Their advance had threatened government-held territory further west including coastal areas vital to al-Assad's control of the country, according to Reuters.
The highway that runs from the capital Damascus in the south up through Homs, Hama to Aleppo in the north is vital for controlling populous parts of the country.
In their turn, rebels on Saturday have seized a hill in Quneitra province near the Occupied Golan Heights after a surprise attack on Assad forces, a move may set off regime's alarm bells as rebels presence mounts southwest the capital.
Al Qabe'a hill that also known as the U.N. hill, in reference to the U.N. peacekeeping troops, are under rebels control, 'Syrian Revolutionaries' group said in statement after joint attack with Islam Army.
In central city of Homs, a senior regime army officer was killed in mainly Alawite district when Ahrar al-Sham movement detonated an explosive device near his car.
The dominant Islamist rebel group said three soldiers were killed with Col. Hassan Mahmoud Issa in Bab al-Dahab neighborhood, according to a statement posted online.
Issa was the responsible of all security checkpoints in Homs as well he was a top commander in the paramilitary National Defense Forces.
Russian air strikes have united many rebel faction in Aleppo, activists said.
On Saturday, Turkey-backed Islamist rebels have formed 'Al Sham Army, a new armed faction operating in northern province of Aleppo, an online statement by the newly group revealed.
The fighters who joined Al Sham Army, or the Levant Army, had fought before under banner of al-Qaeda's Syria wing, the Nusra Front, and other rebel groups.
Activists said the new rebel group's flag will be Syrian revolution flag, a move reflects the moderate ideology of its fighters and an indication for goodwill for the international powers.
The statement said Al Sham Army's leader will be Mohamed Talal Bazerbashi, a former commander in Ahrar Al Sham Islamic Movement.
After deadly clashes Bashar al-Assad army military and Lebanese militiamen took control of Tal Skik, a highland area in Idlib province close to rebel-held positions along the highway, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.
Regime-run news agency SANA also said Tal Skik was now under Syrian army control after an "extensive military operation" on the ground backed by Russia air strikes against "terrorist organizations" in the area.
It said the military had destroyed weapons, ammunition and equipment during the offensive and that 50 enemy fighters had been killed in the air strikes. The Observatory and Lebanon-based TV channel al-Mayadeen said a senior Hezbollah fighter had also been killed in clashes.
Idlib is mainly held by the Army of Conquest, an Islamist insurgent alliance that includes al Qaeda's Syria wing Nusra Front but not the ultra hardline Islamic State group Russia says is the focus of its airstrikes which started on Sept 30.
Russian strikes have focused on areas in Hama province and neighboring Idlib where insurgents have advanced in recent months. Their advance had threatened government-held territory further west including coastal areas vital to al-Assad's control of the country, according to Reuters.
The highway that runs from the capital Damascus in the south up through Homs, Hama to Aleppo in the north is vital for controlling populous parts of the country.
In their turn, rebels on Saturday have seized a hill in Quneitra province near the Occupied Golan Heights after a surprise attack on Assad forces, a move may set off regime's alarm bells as rebels presence mounts southwest the capital.
Al Qabe'a hill that also known as the U.N. hill, in reference to the U.N. peacekeeping troops, are under rebels control, 'Syrian Revolutionaries' group said in statement after joint attack with Islam Army.
In central city of Homs, a senior regime army officer was killed in mainly Alawite district when Ahrar al-Sham movement detonated an explosive device near his car.
The dominant Islamist rebel group said three soldiers were killed with Col. Hassan Mahmoud Issa in Bab al-Dahab neighborhood, according to a statement posted online.
Issa was the responsible of all security checkpoints in Homs as well he was a top commander in the paramilitary National Defense Forces.
Russian air strikes have united many rebel faction in Aleppo, activists said.
On Saturday, Turkey-backed Islamist rebels have formed 'Al Sham Army, a new armed faction operating in northern province of Aleppo, an online statement by the newly group revealed.
The fighters who joined Al Sham Army, or the Levant Army, had fought before under banner of al-Qaeda's Syria wing, the Nusra Front, and other rebel groups.
Activists said the new rebel group's flag will be Syrian revolution flag, a move reflects the moderate ideology of its fighters and an indication for goodwill for the international powers.
The statement said Al Sham Army's leader will be Mohamed Talal Bazerbashi, a former commander in Ahrar Al Sham Islamic Movement.
Zaman Al Wasl
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