Syrian Forces Gain Ground in Idlib

Syrian forces regained control of two villages in the Northwest of the country as they continue to make advances against the foreign-backed Takfiri militants.
On Wednesday, Syrian troopers established control over the villages of Kafr Najd and Nahlia on the Southern outskirts of the city of Idlib, located roughly 295 kilometers (183 miles) North of the capital, Damascus.

A number of militants were killed and injured during the intense clashes with the Syrian forces.

The government troops also stormed militant hideouts and killed scores of terrorists from Al-Qaeda-linked al-Nusra Front and affiliated groups.

Syrian fighter jets also carried out several airstrikes in the villages of al-Mukbela and Kourin as well as the town of Sarmin in Idlib Province, destroying scores of armored vehicles and pickup trucks with heavy machine guns mounted on them. A large number of militants were also killed in the operation.

The operation cut the supply lines of the terrorists from neighboring Turkey.

Moreover, Syrian army artillery fire destroyed militant hideouts in the town of Mantaf, located 25 kilometers (15 miles) South of Idlib.

Al-Qaeda-linked terrorist groups, including al-Nusra Front, seized control of Idlib in late March following days of heavy clashes with government forces.

Idlib is Syria’s second provincial capital to have fallen into the hands of militants following the fall of the Northern city of Raqqah in March 2013.

Syria has been grappling with a deadly crisis since March 2011. The violence fuelled by Takfiri groups has so far claimed the lives of over 210,000 people, according to reports. New figures show that over 76,000 people, including thousands of children, lost their lives in Syria last year.

Over 3.8 million Syrians have left their country since the beginning of the crisis. According to reports, more than seven million Syrians have become internally displaced.