DAMASCUS -- A coalition of extremist groups fully captured the town of Ariha in Syria's northwestern province of Idlib on Thursday, the latest defeat for the Syrian troops in the province, a monitor group reported.
The so-called al-Fath Army, a coalition of several hardline groups mainly the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front, stormed the town of Ariha, one of the few remaining towns in the hands of the Syrian army in Idlib, where the provincial capital and much of the towns fell to al-Qaida-affiliated groups over the past two months.
The downfall of Ariha came following battles and shelling between the Syrian army and the extremist militants, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
The London-based watchdog group said tens of military vehicles withdrew from the town towards the areas of Arom al-Jous and Mhambel between Ariha and the city of Jisr al-Shughour, which was the latest to fall last month.
The offensive signifies the militants' resolve to expand their control to the entire province of Idlib, after the Islamic State group captured the northern city of al-Raqqa.
Meanwhile, Syria's official SANA news agency said the military forces are fighting intense battles against the "terrorist groups" in the vicinity of the al-Arbaeen mountain area of western Idlib, killing many "terrorists."
The official media has yet to give details about the situation in Ariha. Enditem
