Damascus, Jan. 26 -- The Syrian government forces have advanced toward the city of Maarat al-Numan in Idlib province in northwestern Syria on Sunday amid intense battles and shelling, activists and local media reported.

The Syrian forces advanced east of Maarat al-Numan in the southern countryside of Idlib following battles with the rebels, including those involved with the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front, said state news agency SANA.The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also reported the progress made by the Syrian forces east of Maarat al-Numan and said the rebels tried to make up for their collapse east of the city by waging attacks on government positions elsewhere in southern Idlib.For its side, the pro-government Al-Mayadeen TV said ...