Syrian rebels recaptured 4 villages from regime in Idlib: commander

(Zaman Al Wasl)- Syrian rebels took four villages from the regime army in the southern countryside of Idlib, field commander told Zaman al-Wasl on Saturday.

Captain Shadi Hannak said the ‘resistance forces’ have recaptured the villages of Rabeia, Khraybeh, Khaween and Tel Maraq near Abu al-Zuhour air base.

Meanwhile, the regime forces backed Russian jets have stepped up its aerial campaign in the northern provinces of Idlib and Hama.

The bombing followed a counter attack by rebels who inflicted heavy losses among the army ranks.

The regime army and allied militias pressed rapid gains by the regime forces who are approaching a sprawling rebel-held air base in the northwestern province from different directions.

The strikes hit most on the southern countryside side of Idlib and northern countryside of Hama, targeting schools and mosques.

At least 9 civilians killed late on Friday in airstrikes on the town of Khan al-Sabel as

The recent military escalation in western Syria has included an unprecedented attack by a squadron of drones on Russian military bases and has cast a shadow over Moscow’s efforts to convene a Syria peace congress later this month.

Nour el-Din al-Zinki rebel groups said on Friday it had shot down a Russian drone north of Hama city.

Rebels on Friday said they had captured some 15 villages and seized 60 government fighters, but military source denied to Reuters such news and dismissed rebel talk of a counter attack as propaganda. The source said fierce battles were however underway in the area and army advances were continuing.

Idlib province is the biggest chunk of Syria still held by rebels fighting Bashar al-Assad, with a population swollen by Syrians who have fled government advances in other parts of the country. Assad has defeated rebels in many parts of western Syria with critical help from Russia and Iran.

At least 100 regime troops killed and wounded in the ongoing clashes in Hama and Idlib, according to local reporter.

Medics told Zaman Al Wasl that the Central Hospital of Hama city has received about 100 troops and militants were killed and wounded in the past 48 hours.

At least 180 troops and militiamen were killed in five weeks as the regime backed by Russia air force is pushing to take major rebel stronghold in Idlib and Hama provinces, according to activists. (With Agencies)

Zaman A Wasl