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Idlib, Syria, March 4, 2020. Military operations between Turkish-backed Syrian opposition factions and the Syrian government forces escalate in the Idlib governorate, Northern Syria, a day before the Russian-Turkish summit in Moscow on March 5, 2020. Fierce clashes take place between both sides in the city of Saraqib that has a strategic location as it connects the two international M4 and M5 highways. The factions try to regain control of Saraqib with support from Turkish artillery and rocket shelling and airstrikes. The military operations intensified after the factions gained control of the villages of Sufuhon, al-Fatterah, and al-Dar al-Kabira in the al-Zawiya Mountain area, southern Idlib. The factions plan to reach the city of Kafr Nubl as they seized vehicles and ammunition in villages, northern Hama, after the Syrian government forces withdrew. The Syrian government forces stationed in the Turkmen Mountain and al-Akrad Mountain areas in the Latakia countryside intensified shelling on the southern Idlib and northern and western Hama countryside, killing civilians and causing damage to residential buildings. The hit-and-run battles in Idlib coincide with Turkish government’s statements about casualties of both sides. Turkish Defense Ministry stated that bombings killed Turkish soldiers in Idlib; however, the ministry said that the Turkish Army has neutralized 3,000 Syrian government forces members since the start of the Turkish military operation.