17 killed in Assad's air strikes on Idlib: activists

At least 17 people have been killed in Syrian regime air strikes on the rebel-held city of Idlib north of Syria two days since an alliance of Islamist groups have seized the city for the first time in Syria's civil war, activists said.

Fatah Army, an alliance which includes al Qaeda's Nusra Front has inflicted a humiliating defeat of Bashar al-Assad’s forces and his allied militias on Saturday.

Meanwhile, thousands of Syrian people have fled the city due to the aerial bombardment.

The Syrian Network for human Rights said Syrian regime has attacked Idlib by Chlorine gas bombs late on Sunday, many suffocation cases recorded.

Also, in retaliation, Syrian regime has cut off telecommunication and cell networks, activists said.

Zaman al-Wasl reporter said fighters of Fatah Army have secured all the entrances of the city to avoid any retaliation by al-Assad force as well have provided assistance for people who once were displaced before their own city was liberated.

Field source told Zaman al-Wasl that rebels’ main mission is to protect people properties including Homes, cars and shops, saying we need people’s normal life to continue without any fears or concerns.

The Christian minority in Idlib has refused to flee the city as Fatah Army fighters provided special protection unites to secure their neighborhood, reporter said. But conflicting reports said two Christians were killed on Monday for selling alcohol.

  ‘Army of Fatah’ is a reference to the conquests that spread Islam across the Middle East from the seventh century.

In relevant development, General Commander of Ahrar al-Sham Islamic movement called on rebels to make Islam’s interest the highest one among all they have as well to be modest, denying any intention to establish an Islamic emirate.

Hashim al-Sheikh (Abu Jaber), In a patriotic statement posted online, praised the bravery of Fatah Army's fighters who achieved a strategic victory in Idlib for the first time in Syria's civil war.

Abu Jaber asked people of the city to cooperate with rebels, assuring that there is no intention to create an Islamic emirate or a colonelcy.

The top commander, also, has warned the Syrian regime from targeting Idlib, saying the retaliation will be by attacking the neighboring Shiite villages.

By taking Idlib, capital of a northwestern province of the same name, hardline Islamist insurgents now control a second province after Raqqa, the stronghold of the Islamic State group which has been the target of U.S.-led air strikes.

Syria's four-year-old war has killed more than 220,000 people and forced millions out of their homes.