Islamic State (ISIS) fighters captured a village from rebels in northern province of Idleb on Monday after heavy clashes began last week, local activists said.
The ISIS advance in the southern countryside of Idleb follows coordination between the radical group and Assad regime forces, who opened a corridor for the jihadists to reach the region.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitor said on Friday that regime forces had allowed ISIS fighters to leave a besieged pocket of territory at the intersection of Aleppo, Idleb and Hama provinces, to then enter southern Idleb.
A source in the Ahrar al-Sham rebel faction said ISIS fighters had pushed into southern Idleb from government territory.
Meanwhile, regime forces have stepped up their aerial and ground campaign on rebel-held areas in Idleb. Clashes and heavy bombing has been reported in the eastern countryside and the town of Jisr al-Shughour.
This article was edited by The Syrian Observer. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
