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'At least 18 killed' in explosion in Idlib city in Syria 'At least 18 killed' in car bomb blast in Idlib city in Syria
(about 1 hour later)
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 been killed and tens more  injured in a car bomb blast 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 British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the explosion had targeted the headquarters of an opposition faction in Idlib.
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. Photos and video from the activist-run Thiqa News Agency and Baladi News Agency show heavy damage along what appears to be a major avenue in the city, with several buildings damaged and vehicles overturned. 
First responders, ambulances and fire brigades are also seen arriving at the scene. 
No group immediately claimed responsibility for the bombing. The city and the province are controlled by several rebel factions and insurgents vying for dominance, the most powerful being an al-Qaida-linked group. 
The Syrian Army has been advancing on the region, which is the 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. 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. 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. “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. He said they are stuck in a two-front battle with government forces and remaining pockets of Isis militants, while 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. Opposition activists say the main targets currently appear to be the rebel-held airbase of Abu Zuhour, on the south-eastern edge of the province, as well as 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.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. “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.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.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… Additional reporting by agencies