More than 70 people were killed, and several others injured after forces loyal to ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad clashed with government personnel in the country's coastal region. Watch this report for more details!

71 killed in fresh clashes, Syrian forces crack down on Assad-linked groups

Clashes between regime loyalists and insurgents in northwest Syria killed 70 combatants on Saturday, as government forces continued to nibble away at territory held by its opponents, a war monitor said. &nbsp;

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a jihadist group led by Syria's former Al-Qaeda affiliate, has since January controlled most of Idlib province as well as parts of neighbouring Hama, Aleppo and Latakia provinces.&nbsp;

Several other armed rebel groups also operate in the area. &nbsp;

Fighting in northern Hama, southern Idlib and rural Latakia on Saturday claimed the lives of 32 pro-government forces as well as 38 jihadists and allied rebels, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.&nbsp;

It came as regime fighters pushed towards the town of Hbeit in the south of Idlib province, sparking clashes on its western edges, said Rami Abdul Rahman, the head of the Britain-based monitor.&nbsp;

For days, forces loyal to Damascus have advanced towards a strip straddling the provinces of Hama and Idlib, the Observatory said.&nbsp;

They aim to capture Kafr Zita -- one of the largest towns in northern Hama -- and the nearby village of Al-Latamneh from jihadists and rebels, said Abdel Rahman.&nbsp;

Both lie on the southern edge of the jihadist-run bastion of Idlib, one of the last centres of opposition to President Bashar al-Assad after eight years of civil war.&nbsp;

Regime forces have closed in on Kfar Zeita and Latamneh over the past week, after capturing a string of nearby towns and villages, the Observatory said.

They are also trying to surround the town of Khan Sheikoun -- located near Hbeit-- in order to wrest it from the jihadists, Abdel Rahman said.

The latest advances come after the Syrian government on Monday scrapped a short-lived ceasefire for the Idlib region, accusing its opponents of refusing to abide by the truce, which lasted only three days.&nbsp;

The region was supposed to be protected from a massive government offensive by a Turkish-Russian buffer-zone deal that was reached in September last year.

But it has come under increasing bombardment by Damascus and its backer Moscow since the end of April that has killed, according to the Observatory, more than 800 civilians.

Nearly 80 people have lost their lives in the retaliatory fire on regime-held territory in that same period, the monitor said. &nbsp;

The violence has also pushed 400,000 people from their homes, according to the United Nations.&nbsp;

Syria's conflict has killed a total of more than 370,000 people and displaced millions since it started with the brutal repression of anti-government protests in 2011. 
&nbsp;

Clashes between regime loyalists and insurgents in northwest Syria killed 70 combatants on Saturday, as government forces continued to nibble away at territory held by its opponents, a war monitor said.

Clashes between regime loyalists and insurgents in northwest Syria killed 70 combatants on Saturday, as government forces continued to nibble away at territory held by its opponents, a war monitor said. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a jihadist group led by Syria's former Al-Qaeda affiliate, has since January controlled most of Idlib province as well as parts of neighbouring Hama, Aleppo and Latakia provinces. Several other armed rebel groups also operate in the area. Fighting in northern Hama, southern Idlib and rural Latakia on Saturday claimed the lives of 32 pro-government forces as well as 38 jihadists and allied rebels, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. It came as regime fighters pushed towards the town of Hbeit in the south of Idlib province, sparking clashes on its western edges, said Rami Abdul Rahman, the head of the Britain-based monitor. For days, forces loyal to Damascus have advanced towards a strip straddling the provinces of Hama and Idlib, the Observatory said. They aim to capture Kafr Zita -- one of the largest towns in northern Hama -- and the nearby village of Al-Latamneh from jihadists and rebels, said Abdel Rahman. Both lie on the southern edge of the jihadist-run bastion of Idlib, one of the last centres of opposition to President Bashar al-Assad after eight years of civil war. Regime forces have closed in on Kfar Zeita and Latamneh over the past week, after capturing a string of nearby towns and villages, the Observatory said. They are also trying to surround the town of Khan Sheikoun -- located near Hbeit-- in order to wrest it from the jihadists, Abdel Rahman said. The latest advances come after the Syrian government on Monday scrapped a short-lived ceasefire for the Idlib region, accusing its opponents of refusing to abide by the truce, which lasted only three days. The region was supposed to be protected from a massive government offensive by a Turkish-Russian buffer-zone deal that was reached in September last year. But it has come under increasing bombardment by Damascus and its backer Moscow since the end of April that has killed, according to the Observatory, more than 800 civilians. Nearly 80 people have lost their lives in the retaliatory fire on regime-held territory in that same period, the monitor said. The violence has also pushed 400,000 people from their homes, according to the United Nations. Syria's conflict has killed a total of more than 370,000 people and displaced millions since it started with the brutal repression of anti-government protests in 2011.

Clashes kill 70 combatants in northwest Syria: Report

Clashes between pro-government forces and jihadist-led groups that control Syria's northwest killed at least 45 combatants on Tuesday, a war monitor said.

The fighting flared on the edge of Hama province when jihadist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham launched a dawn attack on regime positions, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

At least 14 pro-government forces died in ensuing clashes, said the Britain-based monitor.

"Regime forces foiled the attack," Observatory head Rami Abdul Rahman told AFP. State news agency SANA also said the offensive had been thwarted.

Hama's northern countryside lies on the edge of a jihadist-controlled region including most of Idlib province.

The frontline had been relatively calm since clashes on Saturday killed more than 35 combatants, including jihadists and regime forces, Abdul Rahman said.

Regime airstrikes on northern Hama and neighbouring Idlib had also paused for more than 24 hours, before resuming Tuesday following the latest bout of fighting, according to the monitor.

The bombardment killed one civilian in southern Idlib, it said.

The latest battles come after rocket fire by HTS -- led by a former Al-Qaeda affiliate -- and allied rebels killed more than 12 civilians in a regime-held village in Aleppo province late Sunday.

Parts of Aleppo, Hama and Idlib are supposed to be protected from a massive regime offensive by a buffer zone deal that Russia and Turkey signed in September.

But it was never fully implemented as jihadists refused to withdraw from a planned demilitarised zone.

In January, HTS extended its administrative control over the region, which includes most of Idlib province as well as adjacent slivers of Latakia, Hama and Aleppo provinces.

The Syrian government and Russia have upped their bombardment of the region since late April, killing more than 400 civilians, according to the Observatory.

Syria's war has killed more than 370,000 people and displaced millions since it started in 2011 with the repression of anti-government protests.&nbsp;

Clashes between pro-government forces and jihadist-led groups that control Syria's northwest killed at least 45 combatants on Tuesday, a war monitor said. The fighting flared on the edge of Hama province when jihadist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham launched a dawn attack on regime positions, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

Clashes between pro-government forces and jihadist-led groups that control Syria's northwest killed at least 45 combatants on Tuesday, a war monitor said. The fighting flared on the edge of Hama province when jihadist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham launched a dawn attack on regime positions, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. At least 14 pro-government forces died in ensuing clashes, said the Britain-based monitor. "Regime forces foiled the attack," Observatory head Rami Abdul Rahman told AFP. State news agency SANA also said the offensive had been thwarted. Hama's northern countryside lies on the edge of a jihadist-controlled region including most of Idlib province. The frontline had been relatively calm since clashes on Saturday killed more than 35 combatants, including jihadists and regime forces, Abdul Rahman said. Regime airstrikes on northern Hama and neighbouring Idlib had also paused for more than 24 hours, before resuming Tuesday following the latest bout of fighting, according to the monitor. The bombardment killed one civilian in southern Idlib, it said. The latest battles come after rocket fire by HTS -- led by a former Al-Qaeda affiliate -- and allied rebels killed more than 12 civilians in a regime-held village in Aleppo province late Sunday. Parts of Aleppo, Hama and Idlib are supposed to be protected from a massive regime offensive by a buffer zone deal that Russia and Turkey signed in September. But it was never fully implemented as jihadists refused to withdraw from a planned demilitarised zone. In January, HTS extended its administrative control over the region, which includes most of Idlib province as well as adjacent slivers of Latakia, Hama and Aleppo provinces. The Syrian government and Russia have upped their bombardment of the region since late April, killing more than 400 civilians, according to the Observatory. Syria's war has killed more than 370,000 people and displaced millions since it started in 2011 with the repression of anti-government protests.

Syria clashes kill 45 fighters, says war monitor

Heavy clashes rocked eastern districts of the Syrian capital on Sunday as rebels and jihadists tried to fight their way into the city centre in a surprise assault on government forces.

Steady shelling and sniper fire could be heard across Damascus on Sunday as rebel factions allied with former Al-Qaeda affiliate Fateh al-Sham Front launched an attack on regime positions in the city&#39;s east.&nbsp;

The attack began early Sunday &quot;with two car bombs and several suicide attackers&quot; on the Jobar district, said Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group.

Rebels then advanced into the nearby Abbasid Square area, seizing several buildings and firing a barrage of rockets into multiple Damascus neighbourhoods, Abdel Rahman said.&nbsp;

Government forces responded with nearly a dozen air strikes on Jobar, he added.&nbsp;

Syrian state television reported that the army was &quot;thwarting an attack by terrorists&quot; with artillery fire and had ordered residents to stay inside.&nbsp;

It aired footage from Abbasid Square, typically buzzing with activity but now empty except for the sound of shelling. &nbsp;

AFP correspondents in Damascus said army units had sealed off the routes into the square, where a thick column of smoke was rising into the cloudy sky.

Several schools announced they would close through Monday, and many civilians cowered inside in fear of stray bullets and shelling.

The attack on Damascus comes just days before a fresh round of UN-brokered peace talks in Geneva aiming to put an end to Syria&#39;s six-year war.

Rebels and government troops agreed to a nationwide cessation of hostilities in December, but fighting has continued across much of the country, including in the capital.

Rebels have shifted from defensive to offensive: Observatory

Control of Jobar -- which has been a battleground for more than two years -- is divided between rebels and allied jihadists and government forces.&nbsp;

According to the Observatory, the Islamist Faylaq al-Rahman rebel group and the Fateh al-Sham Front -- known as Al-Nusra Front before it broke ties with Al-Qaeda -- are present in Jobar.&nbsp;

Government forces have long sought to push the rebels out of the district because of its proximity to the city centre in Damascus.&nbsp;

But with Sunday&#39;s attack, Abdel Rahman said, &quot;rebels have shifted from a defensive position in Jobar into an offensive one&quot;.

&quot;These are not intermittent clashes -- these are ongoing attempts to advance,&quot; he said.&nbsp;

The Observatory said rebels had launched the attack as a way to relieve allied fighters in the nearby districts of Barzeh, Tishreen and Qabun from government attacks.&nbsp;

&quot;Nine regime forces and at least 12 Islamist rebels were killed&quot; in those districts over the last 24 hours, the Observatory said.

More than 320,000 people have been killed since Syria&#39;s conflict erupted six years ago with protests against Assad&#39;s rule.&nbsp;

After a government crackdown, the uprising turned into an all-out war that has drawn in world powers on nearly all sides.&nbsp;

On Sunday, Israeli Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman threatened to destroy Syria&#39;s air defence systems after they fired ground-to-air missiles at Israeli warplanes on Friday.&nbsp;

Syria&#39;s army said it shot down an Israeli jet and hit another as they were carrying out early morning strikes near the famed desert city of Palmyra.&nbsp;

Israel denied any planes were hit and said it was targeting weapons bound for Lebanon&#39;s Hezbollah movement, which is backing Assad in Syria.&nbsp;

The United Nations has sponsored peace talks to end the conflict since 2012, to no avail.&nbsp;

Government representatives and opposition figures are set to meet for a fourth round of negotiations on March 23 in Switzerland.&nbsp;

(AFP)

 
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Rebel factions allied with former Al-Qaeda affiliate Fateh al-Sham Front launched an attack on regime positions in the city's east

Heavy clashes rocked eastern districts of the Syrian capital on Sunday as rebels and jihadists tried to fight their way into the city centre in a surprise assault on government forces. Steady shelling and sniper fire could be heard across Damascus on Sunday as rebel factions allied with former Al-Qaeda affiliate Fateh al-Sham Front launched an attack on regime positions in the city's east. The attack began early Sunday "with two car bombs and several suicide attackers" on the Jobar district, said Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group. Rebels then advanced into the nearby Abbasid Square area, seizing several buildings and firing a barrage of rockets into multiple Damascus neighbourhoods, Abdel Rahman said. Government forces responded with nearly a dozen air strikes on Jobar, he added. Syrian state television reported that the army was "thwarting an attack by terrorists" with artillery fire and had ordered residents to stay inside. It aired footage from Abbasid Square, typically buzzing with activity but now empty except for the sound of shelling. AFP correspondents in Damascus said army units had sealed off the routes into the square, where a thick column of smoke was rising into the cloudy sky. Several schools announced they would close through Monday, and many civilians cowered inside in fear of stray bullets and shelling. The attack on Damascus comes just days before a fresh round of UN-brokered peace talks in Geneva aiming to put an end to Syria's six-year war. Rebels and government troops agreed to a nationwide cessation of hostilities in December, but fighting has continued across much of the country, including in the capital. Rebels have shifted from defensive to offensive: Observatory Control of Jobar -- which has been a battleground for more than two years -- is divided between rebels and allied jihadists and government forces. According to the Observatory, the Islamist Faylaq al-Rahman rebel group and the Fateh al-Sham Front -- known as Al-Nusra Front before it broke ties with Al-Qaeda -- are present in Jobar. Government forces have long sought to push the rebels out of the district because of its proximity to the city centre in Damascus. But with Sunday's attack, Abdel Rahman said, "rebels have shifted from a defensive position in Jobar into an offensive one". "These are not intermittent clashes -- these are ongoing attempts to advance," he said. The Observatory said rebels had launched the attack as a way to relieve allied fighters in the nearby districts of Barzeh, Tishreen and Qabun from government attacks. "Nine regime forces and at least 12 Islamist rebels were killed" in those districts over the last 24 hours, the Observatory said. More than 320,000 people have been killed since Syria's conflict erupted six years ago with protests against Assad's rule. After a government crackdown, the uprising turned into an all-out war that has drawn in world powers on nearly all sides. On Sunday, Israeli Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman threatened to destroy Syria's air defence systems after they fired ground-to-air missiles at Israeli warplanes on Friday. Syria's army said it shot down an Israeli jet and hit another as they were carrying out early morning strikes near the famed desert city of Palmyra. Israel denied any planes were hit and said it was targeting weapons bound for Lebanon's Hezbollah movement, which is backing Assad in Syria. The United Nations has sponsored peace talks to end the conflict since 2012, to no avail. Government representatives and opposition figures are set to meet for a fourth round of negotiations on March 23 in Switzerland. (AFP)

Clashes in Syria capital after rebels, jihadists launch attack on city

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71 killed in fresh clashes, Syrian forces crack down on Assad-linked groups

Clashes kill 70 combatants in northwest Syria: Report

Syria clashes kill 45 fighters, says war monitor

Clashes in Syria capital after rebels, jihadists launch attack on city