Syria Developing: Insurgents Launch Major Attack on Idlib City in Northwest

By Scott Lucas October 27, 2014 11:23 Updated – eaworldview -Insurgents have launched a major attack on Idlib in northwest Syria, taking key positions on the edge of the city and in the industrial area.Opposition fighters have long controlled most of the province around Idlib, but Syrian forces have maintained control of the city throughout the uprising.Insurgent forces, including Jabhat al-Nusra and the Free Syrian Army, attacked this morning from the north, south, and west and captured several checkpoints on the perimeter of the city. They then moved on positions such as the stadium and the College of Education.

Insurgents reportedly are also in the industrial area east of the city and have taken the Governor’s Palace. They said they have cut a main highway into Idlib.

The insurgents claim dozens of regime casualties, with the capture of 12 troops, and the seizure of two tanks and destruction of three others.

City authorities have declared a curfew, and the Syrian military is counter-attacking from the air, including bombing of the area of al-Mastoumeh.