This article is from the source 'independent' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/syria-idlib-attack-explosion-terrorism-isis-assad-a8146851.html
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
'At least 18 killed' in car bomb blast in Idlib city in Syria | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
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 British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the explosion had targeted the headquarters of an opposition faction in Idlib. | |
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. | |
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 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. | |
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. |
Additional reporting by agencies | |