Assad's troops retake major northern city of Idlib

A pro-government Syrian newspaper says regime forces have recaptured the northern city of Idlib.

Rebels have controlled Idlib for months, but government forces launched a siege on the city three days ago.

It was not immediately possible to confirm Tuesday's report in Al Watan newspaper.

Calls to Idlib are not going through. But witnesses said this week that army defectors in the city have been running out of ammunition over the past few days.

Many feared the offensive in Idlib could end up like the regime's campaign against the rebel-held neighbourhood of Baba Amr in the central city of Homs. Troops besieged and shelled Baba Amr for almost a month before capturing it on March 1.