The London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says rebels have gained control of Maaret al-Numan, a town which controls a crucial communication line between Aleppo and Damascus.
According to its director, Maaret al-Numan, “the Syrian army has abandoned all checkpoints outside Maaret al-Numan, with the sole exception of the one controlling access to the town.”
SOHR’s director went on to underscore the town’s “strategic position,” since “all army reinforcement to Aleppo are dispatched via Maaret al-Numan.”