DAMASCUS, Jan 5 (Xinhua) -- Warplanes struck several rebel-held areas in the northern province of Idlib on Sunday as part of the campaign against the rebels in their last major stronghold in the country, a war monitor reported.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the warplanes were Russian, adding they targeted Maarat al-Numan and surrounding areas in the southeastern countryside of Idlib.
The Syrian forces also shelled rebel-held areas in the southern countryside of Idlib in the battles that started to intensify on Saturday evening, the London-based watchdog added.
The Syrian army has made notable progress in recent weeks in the battles against the rebels in Idlib in an effort to liberate the road linking Hama Province with Aleppo in the north.
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said recently that the battle against terrorism in Idlib is the top priority of the Syrian government.
Idlib has emerged as the main destination of the rebel groups as the province is considered the last major rebel bastion in Syria.
Certain parts of Idlib are included in a de-escalation zone deal brokered by Russia and Turkey which backs the rebels.
However, such deals exclude the ultra-radical rebels who are affiliated with the al-Qaida and designated as terrorists by the United Nations.
