A watchdog group says Syrian rebels have killed 28 government soldiers in attacks on three checkpoints on the main road from Damascus to Aleppo in the north.
The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that opposition activists confirmed the November 1 attacks around the town of Saraqeb in northwestern Idlib Province.
It said five rebels were also killed in the attack.
The group said the rebels did not capture the checkpoints because they would be exposed to government forces' air strikes.
The rebels did reportedly seize several armored vehicles.
Idlib Province has become a key battleground in the conflict between rebels fighting against President Bashar al-Assad's regime and government forces.
Fighting intensified after rebels seized the town of Maaret al-Numan on the Damascus-Aleppo road early this month.
The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that opposition activists confirmed the November 1 attacks around the town of Saraqeb in northwestern Idlib Province.
It said five rebels were also killed in the attack.
The group said the rebels did not capture the checkpoints because they would be exposed to government forces' air strikes.
The rebels did reportedly seize several armored vehicles.
Idlib Province has become a key battleground in the conflict between rebels fighting against President Bashar al-Assad's regime and government forces.
Fighting intensified after rebels seized the town of Maaret al-Numan on the Damascus-Aleppo road early this month.