Russia and Iran provide reinforcements, Syrian army continues to win
With reinforcements from Russia and Iran, the Syrian army's military campaign against rebel strongholds has achieved successive major victories.
Syrian government forces have launched air strikes in the northwest of the country as Russia sent reinforcements and Iran sent militias to help President Assad's troops retake their last rebel stronghold, local sources said on August 30.
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| Fighting in Syria. Photo: Reuters |
Mr Assad's forces have captured the town of Khwain along with Zarzoor and Tamanah farms in southern Idlib, moving closer to more densely populated areas in the province that are home to millions of people.
The gains were the first since Russian-backed government forces pushed back rebels in Hama province last week. Local sources said hundreds of soldiers from the Syrian Republican Guard, commanded by President Assad's brother Maher al-Assad, had deployed on the southern frontlines of Idlib province.
"There are reinforcements coming every day from Iranian militias, elite Republican Guard units and the 4th Armored Division," Mustafa Bakour, commander of the Jaish al Izza rebels, told Reuters.
Rebel resistance has been weakened by a sustained air campaign by the Syrian army. Moscow and Damascus deny any attacks on civilians, saying they are only responding to attacks from the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham rebels who control Idlib.
Since capturing the strategic town of Khan Sheikhoun nearly 10 days ago, the Syrian army has been intensifying attacks on the northern city of Maraat al-Numan.
At least 12 civilians, including five children, were killed in clashes between government forces and rebels last night and Maraat al-Numan has become a virtual ghost town after most of its 140,000 residents fled the area a few weeks ago.
More than half a million civilians are fleeing their homes while the United Nations says hundreds have been killed and many homes destroyed by the war./.
