A White Helmet rescuer asks for help as he digs through rubble after a pro-Assad airstrike on Ma’arat al-Num’an in Idlib Province, May 15, 2019

Assad regime forces are reinforcing for another attempt to take a key position in their offensive in northwest Syria.

Units including the elite Tiger Forces militia are being moved near Kabani, a mountaintop town in northeast Latakia Province.

The rebel defense of the town blocks the entry of the pro-Assad units, backed by Russian airpower, into Idlib Province, the last major opposition area in Syria. Its capture would open the way to the the city of Jisr al-Shughour, bombed by Russian and regime warplanes on Tuesday.

The regime forces tried last weekend to capture Kabani, but took heavy losses as they were pushed back to the foot of the mountain.

Some units are being redeployed from the offensive in northwest Hama, where pro-Assad forces have made their most significant gains since the ground offensive began on May 6.

Pro-opposition activists reported an ongoing regime advance in the Ghab Plain in Hama, although rebel counter-attacks — including with anti-tank missiles —destroyed armored vehicles. Both sides suffered heavy casualties, including the loss of field commanders.

“We Die in International Silence”

Russian and regime airstrikes and shelling continued across Idlib Province, including a ten-hour bombardment of the southern area.

The White Helmets civil defense reported the “sickly and calculated rhythm” of attacks, minutes before the breaking of the Ramadan fast.

The rescuers said two civilians were killed and nine wounded in one airstrikes in the center of the city of Ma`arat al-Nu`man.

A local journalist wrote: “Why no one speaks anything? We die in international silence
Damn Assad and Russia.”

The offensive and bombardment have shattered a demilitarized zone declared by Russia and Turkey last September. Hundreds of civilians have been killed and wounded since last April, and more than 350,000 have been displaced.

An estimated three million people — about 20% of Syria’s remaining population — live in Idlib and northern Hama.