The Syrian opposition seized a number of checkpoints manned by Assad regime forces in the countryside of Idlib after fierce battles, Al Arabiya channel reported.

The opposition claimed victory in the battle dubbed "El Nasr" aiming at controlling a number of regime crossing points and cutting supplies between Ariha and Latakia countryside.

A wave of anti-regime protests flared up in Syria in mid March of 2011 that soon turned to a civil war, leaving thousands dead and wounded so far, according to the UN estimates.