In less than 72 hours: Regime forces capture 22 areas southeast of Idlib, besieging Ma’rat al-Numan from three sides, and more than 200 people killed from warring sides
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights learned that regime forces managed to surround Ma’rat al-Numan city from at least three directions after advancing with Russian and regime jets support and fully control over Hamdiya, Ma’ar Hatat, Salhia, Dar el-Salaam, Babolin, Taqana, Kafr Bassin and Bsida south of Ma’arat. Al-Nu’man, while now trying to take control of Kafruma.
The area from Khan Sheikhoun to the north of Al-Maara is under control of regime forces, and the Turkish point in Ma’ar hathat is besieged like Murek post north of Hama.
This brings the number of areas that the regime forces have been able to control since the evening of Friday, 24th of this month, to 22: Telmans, Ma’ar Shmasha, Deir Sharqi, Deir Al-Gharbi, Ma’ar Shmarin, Ma’rata, Al-Ghadfa, Ma’ar Shourin Al-Za’alana, Al-Dana, Tal Sheikh, Sawami’e, Khirbet Mezyan, Masaran, Bsida and Taqana. Babolin, Kafr Bassin, Marhatat, Hamidia, Dar es Salaam and Salhia)
The Syrian Observatory has documented more casualties on both warring sides since the ground offensive began last Friday evening, the death toll of regime forces and loyalists to 91, while the death toll of opposition fighters rose to 112, including 89 jihadists.