Syrian regime takes Abu al-Duhur airport in Idlib

Syrian regime forces and Iran-backed militia fighters on Monday captured the opposition-held Abu al-Duhur military airport in the northern Idlib province, according to local sources.

The airport fell to regime forces and their allies with the help of Russian warplanes, the sources said on condition of anonymity for security concerns.

Regime forces had advanced toward the airport after seizing control of Idlib's Sinjar town two weeks ago.

Abu al-Duhur military airport had been under the control of opposition fighters and anti-regime forces since 2015.

Syria has fallen into a devastating civil war in early 2011 when the Bashar al-Assad regime cracked down on demonstrators with unexpected ferocity.