Summary
The Syrian army and its allies have broken a three-year rebel siege of two Shiite towns in northwest Syria, government and rebel groups said Wednesday, cutting off a main insurgent route to nearby Turkey.
Al-Manar, the TV channel of Lebanon's Hezbollah, joined Syria's army and state media in reporting the breakthrough, which it said came after the army moved in from towns secured in a recent offensive in northern Aleppo province.
Al-Manar said pro-government militias from the besieged towns were able to link up with advancing Syrian army troops after the town of Maarsteh al-Khan fell to them.
The Syrian army also pressed ahead in southern Syria where it made advances near Deraa city in the town of Atman after securing the town of Sheikh Miskeen last month.
The Syrian opposition had demanded that aid be allowed into 18 besieged areas throughout the country and that Syrian and Russian forces halt the bombardment of rebel-held areas ahead of the talks, which officially began Monday.
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