Al-Qaida-linked group claims major advance in Syria; army says it's fighting back

Nov. 29 (UPI) -- An al-Qaida-linked rebel group operating in Syria says it launched a major offensive and has gained territory in the country's northwest, but the Syrian army said Friday the attack has been repelled.

Hayyaat Tahrir Al-Sham, known as HTS, and affiliated factions operating under the banner of "Deterrence of Aggression" said in a statement they have taken control of 20 villages, towns and positions in the countryside of Idlib and Aleppo provinces after three days of intense clashes, according to the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

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