The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights

Militants kill 22 soldiers in north Syria

Al-Qaeda-linked militants have launched attacks on positions of government forces in northern Syria, killing and wounding dozens.

The al-Qaeda-linked Hayat Tahir al-Sham, or HTS, said the attacks occurred at dawn on Saturday in the northern province of Aleppo.

The area of the attack is part of a seven-month truce reached between Turkey and Russia but has recently been repeatedly violated.

The HTS-linked Ibaa news agency said the attacks killed more than 20 soldiers and were in retaliation for the Syrian and Russian militaries’ bombardment of a rebel-held area in recent days.

The opposition’s Britain-based war monitor the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said 22 pro-government gunmen were killed in the attack and more than two dozen were wounded. It added that eight insurgents were also killed.

The Observatory and other opposition activists reported airstrikes by Russian warplanes on rebel-held areas in Idlib province and nearby areas.

The opposition’s Syrian Civil Defense, also known as White Helmets, said Russian airstrikes and Syrian bombardments have killed 14 civilians and wounded dozens since Friday afternoon.

Source: Militants kill 22 soldiers in north Syria | Gold Coast Bulletin