Syrian ground troops capture village that was held by rebels

Syrian troops pushed their way into a northwestern rebel-held enclave Wednesday, clashing with insurgents and capturing a strategically located village at the southern edge, widening an offensive that had involved mainly aerial bombings and shelling.

The pro-government Central Military Media said the troops entered Kfar Nabudah, a rebel-held village on the southwestern edge of the enclave, igniting heavy clashes with the insurgents. The CMM said the government forces seized control of the village after hours of fighting and began clearing it of land mines.

This is the most serious challenge to a cease-fire in the region brokered by Russia and Turkey in September.