Syrian opposition says it won’t accept Russian soldiers in demilitarized area
A few days after the 12th round of Astana peace talks on Syria, the Syrian government and Russia resume heavy shelling in Idlib.
ALEPPO, Syria — Violent battles broke out May 6 between Syrian government forces and their allies and the Syrian armed opposition south of Idlib. The regime’s forces tried to advance into opposition-held areas with the support of Russian aircraft, artillery and rockets that hit opposition areas.
Government troops took control of the village of Janabera and the strategic hill known as Tel Osman. The opposition factions counterattacked in a bid to regain their positions.
Fighting between the two sides continued through May 7 in the Hama countryside, where Hayat Tahrir al-Sham announced that it had taken back Tel Osman and killed more than 30 regime soldiers.
On May 8, the government's forces were able to retake control of Tel Osman and continued marching toward the town of Kafarnabuda, which they also took control of after fierce battles with the opposition factions.
