FILE - In this file photo provided Wednesday Jan. 3, 2018 by the Syrian anti-government activist group, Edlib Media Center, which has been authenticated based on its contents and other AP reporting, shows members of the Syrian civil defense known as the White Helmets, gathering at a street which was attacked by Russian airstrikes, in Maarat al-Nuaman, Syria. Just weeks after Russian President Vladimir Putin declared victory in Syria, Russian military outposts in the country have come under rebel attacks that are challenging Moscow's gains. The incursions have raised doubts both about the sustainability of the Syrian government's recent victories and Moscow's ability to protect its assets in the country.

FILE - In this file photo provided Wednesday Jan. 3, 2018 by the Syrian anti-government activist group, Edlib Media Center, which has been authenticated based on its contents and other AP reporting, shows members of the Syrian civil defense known as the White Helmets, gathering at a street which was attacked by Russian airstrikes, in Maarat al-Nuaman, Syria. Just weeks after Russian President Vladimir Putin declared victory in Syria, Russian military outposts in the country have come under rebel attacks that are challenging Moscow's gains. The incursions have raised doubts both about the sustainability of the Syrian government's recent victories and Moscow's ability to protect its assets in the country. Edlib Media Center via AP, File)

FILE - In this file photo provided Wednesday Jan. 3, 2018 by the Syrian anti-government activist group, Edlib Media Center, which has been authenticated based on its contents and other AP reporting, shows members of the Syrian civil defense known as the White Helmets, gathering at a street which was attacked by Russian airstrikes, in Maarat al-Nuaman, Syria. Just weeks after Russian President Vladimir Putin declared victory in Syria, Russian military outposts in the country have come under rebel attacks that are challenging Moscow's gains. The incursions have raised doubts both about the sustainability of the Syrian government's recent victories and Moscow's ability to protect its assets in the country. Edlib Media Center via AP, File)

World

Syrian insurgents in counteroffensive in northwestern area

The Associated Press

January 11, 2018 04:46 AM

UPDATED 4 MINUTES AGO

BEIRUT

Syrian insurgent groups have launched a counteroffensive against government forces advancing toward a major rebel-held air base in the country's northwest, capturing several villages and taking prisoners.

The counteroffensive by several factions, including the al-Qaida-linked Levant Liberation Committee, started overnight. By Thursday morning, it slowed down the government push toward the Abu Zuhour air base that has been held by rebels since 2015.

The ultraconservative Ahrar al-Sham group says its fighters, along with other militants, have retaken the villages of Hasyan and Atshan on the southern edge of Idlib province.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human confirms insurgents have taken several villages. It says 11 pro-government fighters were captured.

The Observatory's chief Rami Abdurrahman says 16 insurgents were killed in the fighting but didn't have a figure for government troops.

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