Regime forces cross M4 highway for the first time and only eight km separate them from Idlib city
SOHR sources confirmed that the number of civilians who have been killed in Russian airstrikes on the western countryside of Aleppo since the morning, rose to 12 civilians: nine people, including four children and three females were killed in bombardment targeted a vehicle carrying displaced people in Jam’eyyat Al Rahal, two children and a displaced woman from Hama countryside were killed in the bombardment in Jam’eyyat Al-Arman, and two persons were killed in bombardment on the vicinity of Kafrnaha. The death toll is expected to rise as there are wounded some of whom are in serious condition.
Observatory activists have monitored ongoing fierce clashes in both eastern countryside of Idlib and southern countryside of Aleppo, between regime soldiers and loyalists on one hand, and opposition factions and jihadi groups on the other.
SOHR documented the killing of 26 fighters, including 18 jihadis, who were killed in today’s bombardment and clashes in Aleppo and Idlib countryside. Also 19 regime soldiers were killed in battles on Idlib frontlines. Meanwhile, three Iranian-backed militiamen were killed in clashes in the southern countryside of Aleppo.
As SOHR activists documented more human losses, the number of fatalities in the ranks of both warring forces who have been killed in bombardment and fierce clashes since Friday, the 24th of January 2020, rose to 334 opposition fighters, including 239 jihadis, and 317 regime soldiers and loyalists of whom there are ten foreign militiamen loyal to Iran.
Moreover, regime forces advanced again into Saraqeb, east of Idlib capturing Al-Nayrab village which is located at Aleppo – Latakia international highway aka M4, going beyond the highway. Now, only eight km separate regime forces from Idlib city.
Accordingly, the number of areas captured by the regime forces since Friday evening, January 24 rose to 55 villages and towns: 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, Taqana, Babolin, Kafr Bassin, Marhatat, Hamidia, Dar Al-Salaam, Salhia, Kafruma, Maarrat Al-Nu’man city, Wadi Al-Daif, Hantutin, Al-Jarrada, Al-Ruwayha and Al-Qahiryah, Khan al-Sobol town, Mardebseh, Al-Hartamiyah, Qamhana, Abu Juraif, Tal Khatrah, Tal Musaytif, Al-Kana’es, Karsyan, Hish, Kafr Mazdah, Jabbalah, Muqah, Al-Amudiyah, Armanya, Kafr Batikh, Dadikh, Luf, Anqarati, Jubas, Sannan, Zakkar, Tarnabeh and Al-Nayrab).
Russian jets carried out 115 airstrikes today targeting places in Atarib and the outskirts of Anjara in the west of Aleppo, Al-Qanater, Al-Kammari and Arnaz in the southern countryside of Aleppo, Taftanaz, the perimeter of Taftanaz Military Airbase, Saraqeb, Sarmin, the outskirts of Areha, Al-Nayrab, Binnish and Al-Mastuma in Idlib countryside.
Meanwhile, the number of raids by regime jets on places nearby Areha, Sarmin, Saraqeb, Al-Nayrab, Tal Sultan, Afes, Qumaynisan and other areas,east and south-east of Idlib, rose to 196.
Also regime helicopters dropped 139 barrel bombs on areas in Saraqeb, Sarmin, Al-Nayrab, Mantaf, the vicinity of Areha and Saraqeb countryside.
For their part, regime ground forces fired hundreds of rockets and shells on Aleppo, Idlib, Hama and Latakia countryside.