Since December, government forces have pressed a blistering assault against the Idlib region with Russian support, retaking town after town despite warnings from rebel ally Turkey to back off. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on Friday that government forces were in control of the whole extent of the M5 in Idlib province. Turkey has since sent additional troops into northwestern Syria, prompting Damascus to accuse Ankara of trying to hamper its advance. Turkey says three of its outposts -- all in the southeastern part of Idlib -- have been surrounded by the Syrian army. "They have formed a buffer blocking further regime advances in Idlib," Observatory head Rami Abdul Rahman said.

Source: New Strait Times February 08, 2020 12:56 UTC