Assad troops occupied the second in the number of residents of the city of Idlib

In Syria, the troops of President Bashar al-Assad, with the support of Russian aviation, occupied on Tuesday the large city of Maarat-En-Nuuman in the province of Idlib. This was reported by news agencies with reference to independent observers. Syrian media also report the capture of the city and a number of other settlements.

Maarat-En-Nuuman-the second largest city in the province of Idlib, the last territory west of the Euphrates River, which is controlled by the Syrian armed opposition. Assad’s troops returned control over the city for the first time since 2012.

In recent days, government troops resumed an attack in Idlib and occupied a significant territory in the south of the province. Russian aircraft are caused by air strikes, the victims of which, according to the opposition and representatives of humanitarian organizations, became dozens of people.

At the same time, a truce is formally in Idlib, however, the official Damascus and Moscow say that it does not apply to “terrorist groups”.

In recent weeks, about 350 thousand inhabitants left their homes. Most of the refugees go to the border with Turkey.

#SYRIA : Fleeing Syrians as Far as the Eye Can See. @Syriacivildef reports on tge massive exodus from southern #idlib pic.twitter.com/4hhhhtqsi

- Thomas Van Linge (@thomasvlinge) January 28, 2020

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Tuesday stated that Russia prevents the ceasefire in Syria. Mike Pompeo called the actions of the troops of Assad and their allies "ruthless" - Russian military and pro -River militarized formations.