The Syrian army has confirmed that its forces have pulled back from the city of Ariha after an alliance of insurgent groups claimed the last city in the Idlib province in northwestern Syria, which is located close to the Turkish border that is still currently being held by the government.
The rebel alliance, called Jaish al Fateh, or Conquest Army, has said that it has fully taken over the city. The Nusra Front, an al Qaeda offshoot, forms a major part of the coalition, according to Radio Free Europe.
The insurgent groups have also stated that they had been able to overrun several key checkpoints that defended the city. Syrian army officials have also stated that an intense battle is underway between Nusra forces and the army, according to Reuters.
"There are heavy clashes between the army and the terrorists of Jabahat al Nusra who infiltrated inside the city," an army official said.
However, the army official also said that the Syrian army has been on the retreat, pulling back from the city and dealing a big blow to the morale of President Assad's government forces.
"Units of our armed forces evacuated their positions in Ariha and withdrew to defensive positions in the vicinity of the city after battles it fought facing large number of Nusra terrorists," the army official added.
One of the rebels who have taken over the city has confirmed that fierce street fighting was going on inside the city and that the casualties are piling up, according to Reuters.
"There are many bodies that litter the streets," he said.
Numerous civilians have already been forced to hide inside shelters.
With the loss of Ariha, the insurgents have been able to take control of most of the Idlib region that borders Turkey. Once home to 80,000 people, the city is strategically located on the main army supply line between Idlib and Latakia.
