Syrian state forces reclaim 14 villages

BEIRUT — Syrian government forces captured 14 villages on Monday as they advanced on the largest rebel-held enclave in the country’s north.

Syrian government forces and their allies have been on the offensive since late October in Hama and Idlib provinces, capturing nearly 100 villages. The offensive intensified on Christmas Day after reinforcements were brought in from other parts of Syria.

The main aim of the troops is to reach the rebel-held Abu Zuhour air base and secure the road linking the capital, Damascus, with the northern city of Aleppo, Syria’s largest.

The government-controlled Syrian Central Military Media said the newly captured villages, include Freija, Jahman, Dawoudiyeh and Jub al-qasab, bring the troops closer to the air base.

The SCMM and the opposition’s Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights confirmed that 14 villages have been captured.

Russia’s Defense Ministry said its air base and naval station in western Syria came under at least 13 attempted attacks by drones since Saturday. The ministry said there was no damage to the bases.

Clashes also erupted Monday near the Damascus suburb of Harasta, after government forces reached troops trapped for more than a week in a military base surrounded by insurgents.

State media said the Syrian army broke through rebel lines Sunday to reach soldiers trapped at the Murakabat vehicle base near Harasta, in the eastern Ghouta suburbs.

In the northwestern city of Idlib, paramedics said the death toll from a massive car bombing the previous evening has risen to at least 25. Nearly 100 people were wounded. The Syrian Civil Defense said four children and 11 women were among those killed.