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| 'At least 18 killed' in explosion in Idlib city in Syria | 'At least 18 killed' in explosion in Idlib city in Syria |
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| At least 18 people have reportedly been killed and tens more have been injured after an explosion in the northwestern city of Idlib, a human rights group has said. | At least 18 people have reportedly been killed and tens more have been injured after an explosion in the northwestern city of Idlib, a human rights group has said. |
| The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the explosion targeted the headquarters of an opposition faction in Idlib. It was not immediately clear what the nature of the attack was. | The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the explosion targeted the headquarters of an opposition faction in Idlib. It was not immediately clear what the nature of the attack was. |
| The Syrian Army has been advancing on the region, which is largest remaining rebel-held area in the north of the country, and recaptured the town of Sinjar, around 12 miles south of Abu Zuhour airbase earlier on Sunday. | |
| Thousands of civilians have already fled to towards the border with Turkey in freezing January temperatures to escape the brutal fighting. | |
| The offensive on the province was expected after the Syrian government forces, aided by Russia, defeated Isis militants in other parts of the country last year. | |
| "Conditions on the ground are wretched for the rebels," said an opposition activist. | |
| He said rebels are stuck in a two-front battle with government forces and remaining pockets of Isis militants, and Russian air strikes have taken a heavy toll. | |
| Opposition activists say the main target for now appears to be the rebel-held airbase of Abu Zuhour, on the south-eastern edge of the province, and securing the Damascus-Aleppo road that cuts through Idlib. | |
| Another opposition activist, Mohammed al-Ali, said the Russians and the Syrian government are carpet-bombing villages before pushing into them. | |
| "The Russian air strikes, weak fortifications and Islamic State attacks in Hama" have all helped government forces, he said. | |
| It is reported to be highly unlikely that government forces would march toward the provincial capital, also named Idlib, as it would set up a costly battle with highly experienced and well-armed al Qaida-linked insurgents. | |
| The province is dominated by the Levant Liberation Committee, which claims to have severed ties with al Qaida but is widely believed to still be affiliated with it. | |
| More follows… | More follows… |