CairocTypeface:> The death toll in ongoing clashes between rebel fighters and the Syrian government forces in the north-western part of the country has risen to 182 fighters, a war monitor reported on Thursday.
Fighting broke out in Aleppo province on Wednesday between an alliance of armed Islamist groups and Syrian government forces, following a major offensive by militants led by the extremist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).
The assault, described as the heaviest in years, has intensified the conflict in the region. HTS is considered one of the most powerful armed militias in north-western Syria.
The fighting has resulted so far in 182 deaths on both sides including 121 insurgents and the rest of the fatalities from the Syrian forces and their allies, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a monitoring group, said.
The rebels have also cut off a major road linking the Syrian capital and Aleppo, the Britain-based watchdog added. The insurgents are advancing on the city of Aleppo, the capital of the province of the same name, according to the observatory. (DPA)
