Russia and Syria step up airstrikes on Idlib amid rebel offensive-Reuters
Kyiv • UNN
Russian and Syrian planes attacked the city of Idlib, killing 4 people. The rebels captured several cities near Aleppo, including the Sheikh Najjar industrial zone.
Russian and Syrian planes struck the rebel - held city of Idlib on Sunday, the second day of intense bombing in northern Syria. This is reported by Reuters with reference to sources in the Syrian army, reports UNN.
Details
According to residents, one of the attacks was on a crowded residential area in the center of Idlib, which is the largest city in the rebel enclave near the Turkish border. There, about four million people live in temporary tents and dwellings.
As a result of the strike, at least four people were killed and dozens were injured.
The Syrian army and its ally Russia say their goal is to shelter rebel groups, and deny attacks on civilians.
On Saturday, Russian and Syrian planes bombed other cities in Idlib province, which has completely come under rebel control.
Rebels broke into the city of Aleppo, located east of Idlib province, on Friday evening, forcing the army to relocate, the biggest challenge to President Bashar al-Assad in recent years.
The Syrian army said dozens of its soldiers were killed in the attack.
On Sunday, the army said it had managed to recapture several cities that had been captured by rebels in recent days.
In turn, the rebels said they had advanced further south from Aleppo and captured the city of Hansir, trying to cut off the main supply route of the army to Aleppo.
Rebel sources said they also seized the Sheikh Najjar estate, one of the country's main industrial zones.
Addition
Today, on December 1, Ukrainian intelligence reported that Moscow changed the commander in Syria due to the losses of the Russian military in the Republic against the background of the rebel offensive.
