Syrian warplanes target key rebel stronghold

DAMASCUS, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- The Syrian warplanes heavily struck rebel positions in the northwestern province of Idlib, the key stronghold of various rebel groups in the war-torn country, a monitor group reported on Tuesday.

The airstrikes have intensified over the past 24 hours against the positions of several rebel groups, including the Levant Liberation Committee, previously known as the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front.

The heavy shelling included the use of surface-to-surface missiles, mortar shells, and artilleries, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The shelling has killed 21 rebels over the past 24 hours, while 13 Syrian soldiers had been killed during the same period, the Observatory added.

The clashes in the southeastern countryside of Idlib come at a time when the Syrian government forces advanced into the administrative borders of Idlib.

The UK-based watchdog group said the Syrian government forces have captured over seven towns in the southeastern countryside of Idlib over the past 24 hours.

In a separate report, the pro-government al-Watan newspaper said the Syrian forces entered the administrative borders in the southeastern countryside of Idlib on Saturday.

It added that the move was initiated from the northeastern countryside of the central province of Hama.

The paper said the primary aim of the offensive is to reach the Abu al-Duhur airbase in the eastern countryside of Idlib.

It added that the army is moving toward the target from three directions.

Idlib has emerged as the main destination of the rebel groups, which have evacuated several positions across Syria after surrendering to the Syrian army.

The area has become a home to several rebel groups from different affiliations, some of which are supported by Turkey, while others such as the Nusra Front are designated as terrorist groups.

Still, the area was recently included in the de-escalation zones' deal, sponsored by Russian and Turkey, with Ankara being tasked with guaranteeing the situation there.

It's not clear yet whether the Syrian government forces will launch a wide-scale offensive to recapture the entire province, or just to take some positions in the countryside. Enditem