Dozens dead as escalation of clashes and violence in Syria is reported
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Dozens of combatants, including 26 pro-government fighters, were killed on Saturday in clashes and air strikes that erupted in northwestern Syria, a UK-based activist group has said.
The latest escalation in fighting came as Russian-backed government forces tried to retake two villages seized by militant groups earlier this month, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.
“Since this morning, the Syrian regime and allied fighters have launched five failed attempts to regain control of Jibine and Tal Maleh in northwestern Hama province,” said Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman.
Syrian regime air strikes killed nine militants and rebel fighters, the war monitor said.
Ensuing clashes in the north of Hama province left 26 pro-regime forces dead, including eight who were killed in a mine explosion, the Observatory said.
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on Thursday said a ceasefire had not been fully secured in Idlib, despite an announcement by Moscow.
“We are working hard with Russia to stop these attacks. It is not possible to say a complete ceasefire has been secured,” Cavusoglu told a press conference with his French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian in Ankara.
Cavusoglu said there were “serious and sincere efforts” with Moscow to stop the violence, but said a full cessation had not been realised.
He also confirmed an earlier report that Syrian government forces had launched mortar attacks on a Turkish observation post in Idlib, injuring three soldiers.
“If the regime continues these attacks, we will do what is necessary,” Cavusoglu added.
