A rebel coalition led by Al-Qaeda's Syria franchise today seized Ariha, the last remaining government-held city in the northwestern province of Idlib, a monitor said.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that Al- Nusra Front and its allies captured the city after fierce clashes with regime forces, including Hezbollah fighters, who were then seen pulling out.
"Jaish al-Fatah has taken full control of the city of Ariha after a lightning offensive that ended with a heavy pullout of regime forces and their allies Hezbollah from the western side of the city," Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman told AFP.
Jaish al-Fatah, or Army of Conquest, is the name of the coalition which comprises Al-Nusra Front and its allies -- mostly Islamist rebel groups.
The Britain-based monitor said dozens of regime military vehicles were seen pulling out of Ariha.
Ariha, which was home to 40,000 people before the conflict began, was the last remaining government-held city in Idlib province which borders Turkey.
The Army of Conquest coalition has won a string of victories in Idlib, including taking the provincial capital on March 28 and the key town of Jisr al-Shughur on April 25.
