Assad forces recapture two villages in Idlib as rebels infighting continues

 (Zaman Al Wasl)- Syrian regime forces have recaptured on Friday two villages in Idlib province without any resistance by Islamist rebels, activists said.

Local activists assured that Bashar al-Assad’s forces have gained the advantages of rebels’ infighting to recapture some territories as it did in Jabal al-Zawiya district, taking control of kafr Shlaya village and al-Jazer checkpoint in al-Rami village.

Al-Qaeda Syria’s wing al-Nusra Front has spent the last month fighting the Western-backed moderate rebels to end their presence in Idlib amid hopes it can announce its emirate soon in north Syria.

In relevant development, the Nusra Front on Friday has arrested a prominent novelist and writer Aaref al-Khatib after raiding his house in Idlib countryside.