Rebels launch new offensive in northwestern Syria
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Several hard-line Syrian rebel groups pushed a new offensive against government forces in northwestern Syria Thursday, less than a month after seizing control of the provincial capital there.
The conservative Islamic factions, including the al-Qaeda-affiliated Nusra Front, are coordinating a multi-pronged campaign whose main target appears to be the town of Jisr al-Shughour in Idlib province. Opposition fighters are also attacking government checkpoints in a sprawling agricultural plain south of the town as well as nearby military facilities.
