Syrian army closes in on key rebel-held airbase in Idlib province

DAMASCUS, Jan. 9 (Xinhua) -- The Syrian government forces have come to within eight kilometers of a key airbase in the northwestern province of Idlib, following intense battles with the al-Qaida-linked militant groups, a monitor group reported on Tuesday.

Following two weeks of battles in the southern countryside of Idlib province, the Syrian forces have become closer to the Abu al-Duhur airbase, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The oppositional UK-based watchdog group said the two-week-long shelling and airstrikes by the Syrian forces and their Russian allies have resulted in the displacement of 150,000 civilians.

Meanwhile, the War Media, the media wing of the Syrian army, said the Syrian forces are targeting the positions of the al-Qaida-linked Levant Liberation Committee (LLC), previously known as the Nusra Front, in the vicinity of Abu al-Duhur airbase.

The report added that the Syrian forces captured several towns on Tuesday after battles with the LLC and allied militant groups in southern Idlib.

The Syrian army is eyeing the recapture of Abu al-Duhur due to the strategic importance of that facility and its crucial role in launching further offensives against the LLC and likeminded groups in Idlib.

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. Enditem