DAMASCUS, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- Syrian and Russian joint airstrikes targeted militant positions in the rural areas of Syria's northwestern provinces of Idlib and Latakia on Monday, killing 30 militants, according to local media outlet Al-Watan Online.
The airstrikes hit sites belonging to extremist rebel groups, said the report, without providing additional details.
Syrian and Russian forces have intensified their military operations in the area, which remains a stronghold for rebel groups.
The airstrikes come as the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham rebel group is preparing to launch massive attacks on government-controlled areas in northern Syria, including the Idlib countryside, Latakia, and Aleppo. ■
