9 February

The government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's says its forces have taken control of Saraqeb, a strategic town in Idlib province.

Assad's administration made the announcement through the state-run news agency on Saturday. Saraqeb is located at the junction of major roads in the last stronghold of the opposition forces.

Meanwhile, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says Turkey, which backs the opposition forces, has set up several military posts near the front line, including in Taftanaz, 15 kilometers north of Saraqeb.

The Turkish government has yet to make an official announcement. But local media reports say the Turkish military is deploying ground forces to Syria.

On Monday, eight Turkish people, including troops stationed in Syria, were killed in an attack by Assad's forces.

The latest developments have raised fears that tensions between the Syrian government and Turkish forces will intensify.—NHK