Regime forces reach Maarrat Al-Nu’man outskirts amid intense aerial bombardment on the “de-escalation” zone

Regime forces continue their advancement in the vicinity of Maarrat Al-Nu’man city at the expense of rebel factions and jihadi groups. Only few hundreds of meters separate the regime forces from the city, in which they cut off the M5 highway and the factions’ supply routes by firearm.

Hours ago, SOHR sources reported that the regime forces captured Talmannas and Maarshamsheh towns bringing the number of towns they controlled in 24 hours in Idlib countryside to 6: Talmannas, Maarshamsheh, Deir Sharqi, Deir Gharbi, Maarshmarin, Maaratah, in addition to other positions in the area.

The clashes and bombardment which followed yesterday’s attacks left gross human losses in the ranks of both parties. Observatory activists have documented the killing of 40 regime soldiers since yesterday evening. Also 45 jihadies among 55 fighters were killed in the regime bombardment and clashes.

The death toll is expected to increase due to the presence of injuries some of whom are in serious conditions, amid information about other fatalities.

Separately, regime and Russian aircraft has been still continuing to target areas in both Idlib and Aleppo countryside.

Russian jets renewed targeting places in the area bringing the number of today’s airstrikes to 72, targeting places in Al-Eis, the vicinity of Al-Kammari, Al-Zerbah, Kafr Hamrah and Anadan in Aleppo countryside, Maarrat Al-Nu’man city and countryside, Khan Al-Sabil, and other areas east of Idlib.

Also the number of barrel bombs dropped by regime helicopters during this day rose to 92, targeting places in Khalseh, Al-Humayrah, Al-Qarassi, Berneh, Zitan and Khan Tuman in the southern countryside of Aleppo, Kafr Batekh in Saraqeb countryside, Maarra Al-Nu’man city and countryside.

Meanwhile, regime jets executed 140 raids targeting Al-Eis, Al-Kammari in the southern countryside of Aleppo, Maarrat Al-Nu’man and towns and villages in its eastern countryside, and frontlines in the eastern countryside of Idlib and the western countryside of Aleppo.

Syrian Observatory activists documented the killing of a female and two children in a regime airstrike on Shannan town in the southern countryside of Idlib.

Link of an HD map shows power and influence distribution in Idlib countryside