Rebels stormed a complex filled with about 250 regime loyalists who have been trapped for weeks in northwestern Syria on Sunday, AFP reported.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the rebels, including al-Qaeda affiliates al-Nusra Front, have entered the hospital complex in the town of Jisr al-Shughur and engaged in heavy fighting with the Syrian soldiers.
Observatory Director Rami Abdel Rahman said the attack began with a car bomb instigated by Nusra Front. It's the first time rebels have managed to enter the complex since the soldiers have been trapped, according to AFP.
Rebels took control of Jisr al-Shughur in northwestern Syria late April as the last major government stronghold in the Idlib province. Since then the regime has launched a counteroffensive backed by airstrikes, fighting to try to reach supporters in the besieged complex.
AFP said it was unconfirmed how much food and ammunition the besieged soldiers have left in the complex.
