Late last month, the Syrian army agreed to observe a cease-fire in Idlib, the last major rebel stronghold in the country.

The Syrian army said that it reserves the right to respond to any violation by the Nusra Front, which is the most powerful rebel group in Idlib.

This is the second truce announced in Idlib this month. On Aug. 1, a Russian and Turkish-backed cease-fire was reached but quickly collapsed.

Since then, battles flared and the Syrian government forces were able to make notable gains, capturing key areas in the southern countryside of Idlib and the adjacent northern countryside of Hama province.

The new cease-fire aims at halting the fighting in Idlib between the Syrian army and the al-Qaida-linked groups.

Reports suggest that part of the government's agreement to the cease-fire in Idlib is to regain control over the rebel-held part of the Damascus-Aleppo road, which has yet to materialize.

This could explain the military buildup in northern Syria as the army seems to prepare for a military campaign should the HTS reject to withdraw from the road.

【国际英语资讯:Military buildup takes place in N Syria amid al-Qaida reluctance to withdraw】相关文章：

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