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Syria regime reclaims key town for securing route to Aleppo

The Syrian regime has captured Sinjar, in Idlib province, and is now within 14 kilometers of a jihadi-held airbase. The government lost Sinjar to rebels in 2015 and started an operation to recapture it in December.

Türkei Grenze Syrien Idlib Provinz Armee (Getty Images/AFP/O. Haj Kadour)

Syrian regime forces seized a strategic town on Sunday, removing a key obstacle as they moved towards a jihadi-held airbase in an offensive to reclaim ground in northwestern Idlib province, a monitor said.

Idlib is the largest remaining rebel-held territory in Syria's north. Troops captured Sinjar, the "biggest town in southeast Idlib," from Syria's former Al-Qaeda affiliate, putting them within 14 kilometres (9 miles) of the Abu al-Duhur military base, the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

Read more: Turkey advances into Syria's Idlib in major offensive against jihadi

Government forces backed up by Russian air power are in the midst of conducting an operation to gain a foothold in the southeast of the province. It was the last province that remained completely beyond regime control.
Listen to audio 08:39

WorldLink: A Syrian family torn apart

Idlib province is a stronghold of rebels in Syria and is situated on the border with Turkey, one of the main supporters of rebellion against President Bashar al-Assad.

The conflict has resulted in thousands of civilians being forced to flee toward the border with Turkey in freezing winter temperatures.

Government troops lost the town to jihadists in 2015, after a two-year siege. The base could provide President Bashar al-Assad's forces with an important step towards reclaiming the Idlib province.

Read more: Renewed fighting in Syria intensifies, even in 'de-escalation zones'

The aim of the operation is to secure a key road that links Syria's second city of Aleppo — recaptured by the government just over a year ago — to the capital Damascus, the Observatory said.

Regime forces had taken control of "some towns and villages in the southeast" of Idlib province, State news agency SANA reported on Saturday.

Read more: Relentless bombing forces Syrian rebels and civilians from Damascus stronghold

Assad's forces have captured about 60 towns and villages on the border between Idlib and neighboring Hama province since the start of the operation in October 2017.

More than 340,000 people have been killed in Syria and millions displaced since the conflict began in March 2011 with anti-government protests.
Watch video 01:38

People returning to Aleppo despite destruction

law/rc (AP, AFP)

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Turkey advances into Syria's Idlib in major offensive against jihadists

Turkish-backed rebels are deploying to Idlib province to fight an alliance led by the former Nusra Front, Turkish President Erdogan has said. In turn, the militia said "lions of jihad and martyrdom" were ready to pounce. (08.10.2017)  

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People returning to Aleppo despite destruction  

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