ALBAWABA - Armed factions in Syria announced on Saturday their complete takeover of Idlib province along with control over nearly 50 villages and towns, including the strategic city of Ma’arat al-Numan. The Syrian army reportedly withdrew its forces from these areas.
According to sources cited by Reuters, the factions successfully secured Ma’arat al-Numan in southern Idlib, effectively claiming control over the entire province. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights confirmed that armed groups led by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham captured the city following the retreat of Syrian army forces toward Khan Shaykhun and a village in rural Hama.
In its statement, the observatory noted that government forces have evacuated the entirety of Idlib province, including the Abu al-Duhur military airbase, with the exception of Khan Shaykhun and Kafr Nabl in the south, where troops remain stationed. Armed groups are reportedly conducting clearing operations in the newly controlled areas to tighten their grip on key locations.
The observatory also reported that nearly 50 villages and towns were seized by the factions throughout the day.
As the opposition forces advanced, the Syrian and Russian air forces launched coordinated airstrikes targeting militant positions near Jisr al-Shughur in western Idlib, according to Sham FM. The Syrian army announced a strategic redeployment along the Aleppo and Idlib fronts to strengthen defensive lines, protect civilians, and prepare for a counteroffensive.
The developments follow the launch of a major offensive on Wednesday by Syrian armed factions under the banner "Deterrence of Aggression." During the campaign, opposition groups claimed control over most of Aleppo city, including government buildings and detention centers.
The latest escalation marks a significant shift in the balance of power in northern Syria, as armed factions consolidate their territorial gains and government forces regroup for a potential counterattack.
