As the Syrian regime battles the last rebel stronghold, could it begin to release those detained in inhumane conditions since the beginning of the conflict?
"We will never withdraw from the zone," says Hayat Tahrir al Sham, the largest militant group in northwestern Idlib, two days after regime announced a truce between it and opposition forces.
The war in Syria, now in its eighth year, has seen children paying the heaviest price. At least 33 have been killed since June this year, compared to 31 children during the entirety of 2018.
Opposition factions seized Hamameyat village and a hilltop in Hama province amid deadly clashes, war monitor SOHR says.
War monitor said that Syrian regime forces and insurgents fought fierce battles that left dozens dead in the country's northwest, as the regime tried to regain control of two villages they lost earlier this month.
Air strikes carried out by the Syrian regime and Russia targeted multiple towns in Idlib and Hama provinces.
Air strikes on the largely opposition and rebel-controlled region of northern Idlib followed air raids on Tuesday night and Wednesday that killed 23 civilians.
The State Department said it was assessing indications that the regime used chemical weapons on Sunday during its offensive in Idlib, the most significant remaining holdout of rebels.
Trapped civilians fear the Syrian regime is destroying vital facilities, including hospitals and rescue organisations, to clear the way for brutal ground assaults.
Dozens have died since April 26 in such attacks, war monitor says. Schools, health facilities and residential areas have been hit by the "worst barrel bombing campaign" in opposition-held areas in northwestern Syria in 15 months, UN says.
Syrian state media say militants have attacked a military post belonging to the regime forces in the country's northwest, setting off clashes that killed three people.
Syrian regime shelling has killed at least nine people in Idlib, according to a monitor. Regime media says militant shells have wounded dozens in Aleppo.
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