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WORLD NEWS Wednesday 20 september 2017
Al-Qaida-led fighters on the offensive against Syrian troops

rendered non-operational. airstrikes and shelling, killing
The offensive tests a newly a number of insurgents.
announced “de-escalation Rami Abdurrahman, the
zone” in Idlib, the latest of head of the Britain-based
four such areas declared Syrian Observatory for Hu-
by Russia and Iran, which man Rights, said airstrikes
support the Syrian govern- pummeled the front line
ment, and Turkey, which but also targeted southern
backs the rebels. Fighting Idlib, hitting at least four
has largely subsided in the medical centers.
other three zones, near The opposition-run Qasioun
Damascus, in the cen- News Agency said two hos-
tral Homs province and in pitals were knocked out
southern Syria. of service because of the
The “de-escalation zones” strikes. The White Helmets,
have freed up Syrian troops also known as the Syrian
and allied militias to battle Civil Defense, said two of its
the Islamic State group in centers were also non-op-
the eastern Deir el-Zour erational. The group count-
province and other areas. ed at least 40 airstrikes in
This undated photo released Tuesday, Sept 19, 2017 shows smoke rising over buildings that were
hit by Syrian government forces bombardment, in Khan Sheikhoun, in the northern province of The Syrian government-af- the area since early Tues-
Idlib, Syria. Arabic reads, “Criminal regime air force targets Khan Sheikhoun city with a number filiated Central Military Me- day.
of raids.” dia outlet acknowledged Abdurrahman said the of-
(Ibaa News Agency, via AP) the insurgent offensive just fensive is the widest so far
By SARAH EL DEEB Pro-government media teer first responders known south of Idlib and said forc- targeting the government-
Associated Press said the airstrikes targeted as the White Helmets, were es responded with intensive held city of Hama. q
BEIRUT (AP) — Insurgents insurgent supply lines from
led by an al-Qaida-linked the northwestern Idlib prov-
group launched one of ince, a stronghold of the al-
their widest offensives yet Qaida-linked group.
Tuesday against Syrian pro- Opposition activists and
government forces, which rescue workers said at least
responded with heavy air- two civilians were killed.
strikes targeting hospitals They said two hospitals, and
and first responders. two centers used by volun-

Hamas invites Abbas to

resume control of Gaza

By FARES AKRAM obstacles for the consen-
Associated Press sus government to work in
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) Gaza,” Haniyeh said af-
— Hamas on Tuesday in- ter returning from Cairo,
vited Palestinian President where he and other Hamas
Mahmoud Abbas to send leaders held rare talks with
officials to Gaza to resume Egyptian officials.
control of the coastal en- Hamas is in financial and
clave the Islamic militant political distress after years
group seized a decade of an Israeli-Egyptian
ago. blockade as well as recent
Hamas leader Ismail Hani- economic pressure from
yeh said his group is serious Abbas.
about returning power to The militant group won leg-
the Western-backed Pales- islative elections in 2006
tinian leader and called on and the following year
him to respond with “prac- seized control of the Gaza
tical steps.” Strip from Abbas’ forces,
Hamas has said it will dis- leaving the Palestinian
mantle a contentious com- president in charge of au-
mittee that has governed tonomous enclaves in the
Gaza in recent months — West Bank.
answering a key Abbas de- Several past attempts at
mand. ending the rift have failed,
It has also said it is ready to and thorny issues remain,
hand over all government including security arrange-
functions to Abbas and to ments in Gaza.
hold elections in Gaza and Hamas has thousands of
the West Bank. armed fighters and a size-
“We extend a clear and able arsenal of rockets and
frank invitation without mortar shells.q