Syrian regime forces reached the outskirts of a key rebel-held town on Sunday, in a move that is part of a weeks-long offensive into the country's last rebel stronghold, state media and opposition activists said.
Video from the Associated Press showed warplanes in action near the strategic town of Maaret al-Numan in the northwestern province of Idlib, carrying out strikes on the outlying areas.
Over the past two days Syrian troops captured at least six villages near Maaret al-Numan.
This brought them closer to retaking a critical north-south highway that passes through the town.
It's been held by the rebels since 2012.
Bashar Assad's government has retaken control of most of the country from rebel fighters, largely because of blanket air support from Russia, which helped turn the tide in the nearly 9-year civil war.
Idlib province is dominated by al-Qaida-linked militants.
It's also home to 3 million civilians, and the United Nations has warned of the growing risk of a humanitarian catastrophe along the Turkish border.
The government offensive in Idlib province has led to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people, sending many to areas close to the border with Turkey.
According to opposition activists and paramedics, Maaret al-Numan is now almost empty as a result of the intense bombardment in recent weeks.
Hadi Abdullah, an opposition activist based in Idlib, said Syrian warplanes and helicopter gunships had been pounding areas near Maaret al-Numan.
Opposition activists said regime forces are now less than a kilometer away from the town.
AP
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