Clashes intensify as rebel groups seize key Syrian settlements Map / Video

Clashes continue between Bashar al-Assad's army and the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group, along with its allied forces, in the Syrian provinces of Aleppo and Idlib.

While fighting rages on the outskirts of Aleppo in northern Syria between rebel groups and Assad's forces, residents of the suburbs and central areas of Aleppo are fleeing to Damascus, which remains under regime control, Caliber.Az reports via Turkish media.

Opposition armed groups captured 12 villages along the front lines in Idlib, which were previously under Assad regime control on November 28-29.

The groups took control of 14 more villages in the Aleppo and Idlib provinces. Over the course of three days of ongoing clashes, the armed formations have captured a total of 70 settlements in Aleppo and Idlib.

Clashes continue in the strategically located cities of Nairab and Saraqib. The armed groups have seized the Research Centre on the outskirts of Aleppo, which was being used for military purposes by regime forces.

The rebel factions also captured the city of Anadan, one of the largest settlements in Aleppo. 

This morning, the groups have taken control of approximately 550 square kilometres of territory along the front lines in Idlib and Aleppo.

By Naila Huseynova