Syrian troops pushed their way into a northwestern opposition-held enclave Wednesday, clashing with opposition fighters and capturing the strategically located village of Kfar Nabudah at the southern edge.
The pro-regime Central Military Media said the troops entered Kfar Nabudah, igniting heavy clashes with opposition fighters.
The CMM said the regime forces seized control of the village after hours of fighting and began clearing it of land mines.
The latest wave of violence, which began April 30, has raised fears the regime may launch a wider offensive to retake the area, home to around 3 million people. Already, over 150,000 have been displaced within the enclave, according to the UN, mostly civilians escaping front lines.
In recent days government forces have intensified their bombardment of opposition-held areas in northwestern Syria, as a cease-fire appears to have all but collapsed.
The World Health Organization on Wednesday strongly condemned attacks on health facilities in the region.
In just nine days since April 29, WHO said 12 health structures have been hit. On May 5 alone, two major hospitals and another facility were hit, killing three health workers, the UN agency said.
