Syrian army launches counter-attacks against terrorists in northwest

Syrian army forces and allied Russian warplanes and helicopters have carried out a series of counter-offensives against terrorists operating in northwest.

The allied forces on Tuesday targeted terrorist positions in towns and villages in the volatile Idlib province while attacks also were launched on areas in Latakia, a major government stronghold which had been targeted a day earlier.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a London-based organization which advocates terrorists, claimed government attacks in Idlib killed at least five people. Syria's army could not immediately be reached for comment.

Meanwhile, militants fired rockets on government-held towns and villages in Idlib, with state media saying three children, all members of one family, were killed in the assault on Kefraya, a Shia town.

The government offensive was reportedly in retaliation for the militants' allegations that Damascus has violated a truce deal reached in late February.

SS