Syria regime forces edge closer to Idlib

Syrian regime forces, backed by Russian warplanes and Iranian troops, yesterday captured the strategic town of Saraqeb along with six other towns in the northwestern Idlib province, Anadolu reported.

These forces are currently eight kilometres far from the heart of the last stronghold of Syrian opposition forces.

An Anadolu reporter said that the battle between regime forces and opposition fighters continued around Saraqeb in Aleppo’s western and southern countryside.

Opposition sources said that the Syrian regime and its allies had been seeking to control more towns on the path to recapturing Idlib.

READ: Cold, disease threaten more than half a million Syrians fleeing Idlib fighting

In May 2017, Turkey, Russia and Iran announced reaching a deal about the low-tension area in Idlib as part of the Astana meetings.

However, the Syrian regime has been violating this deal.

Since 17 September 2018, the attacks of the Syrian regime have killed more than 1,800 civilians and led to the displacement of 1.677 million Syrians who are stationed near the Turkish-Syrian borders.