68 killed in violent clashes as Syrian opposition forces enter Idlib

Syrian rebels are targeting military strongholds Sixty-eight people were killed in violence across Syria, as armed opposition fighters made progress on the ground in their battle for control of a strategic military base, south of the city of Maart, in Idlib.
Meanwhile, violent clashes continued in the vicinity of the Vadi al-Zaif camp, East Maara, the last major camp of the regular troops in the region, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
The Observatory said that fighters from the Al-Nusra Front and other battalions opposed to the government were able to take control of checkpoints at Hamidiya centre.
In the southern province of Daraa, an opposition fighter was killed in clashes with government forces near the border point with Jordan on Sunday.
In the city of Homs, Khalidiya neighbourhood was subjected to bombardment from government forces, and there were clashes in Jouret Shiyah neighbourhood.
Warplanes attacked the town of Kvrbtna and Daria City in Damascus, as additional reinforcements for the government troops arrived in Daria.
On the other hand, A source at the Russian General Staff said that a Russian warship carrying a marines unit has left its Black Sea port for Syria, amid preparations for a possible evacuation of nationals living and working in the strife-torn country.
The Novocherkassk landing ship is the third such craft dispatched since Friday to the Tartus port, that Russia has leased from its last Middle East ally.
A military sources said the Azov and Nikolai Filchenkov landing ships had also been sent to Syria from their Russian bases. The source added that the Novocherkassk would arrive at Tartus within the first 10 days of January.
Meanwhile, Deputy Russian Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov used Twitter to confirm that "talks with the Joint Special Envoy of the United Nations and the Arab League Lakhdar Brahimi (in Moscow) pointed out that there is still a chance for a political settlement in Syria."
He added that Brahimi is ready to continue his mission, "shuttle" between the parties to resolve the Syrian crisis and conduct meetings in a tripartite framework combining both Russia, the United States and Brahimi. He added that this meeting might take place next January.
On Sunday, Jordan's Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh met former Syrian Prime Minister Riyad Hijab to discuss the latest developments in Syria and efforts to find a political solution to the Syrian crisis.
Judeh highlighted Jordan's support towards efforts and role of Hijab within the National Coalition of Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces, which forms an important step on the path of political transformation in Syria.
The minister reiterated Jordan's position under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah II, which calls for a political solution that puts an end to bloodshed in Syria and preserves its unity.
He also reviewed the impact of the Syrian crisis on Jordan, which has received more than 250,000 Syrian refugees on its territory, since the start of the violence in neighbouring Syria.
Jordan will continue to host Syrian refugees out of its historical duty towards its brethren, Judeh said.
The former Syrian prime minister valued efforts of His Majesty to arrive at a political solution to the Syrian crisis that spares Syrians from more bloodshed and achieves their legitimate aspirations.
Source: Agencies