Syrian insurgents launch large-scale attack on government forces in the country’s northwest

Syria’s opposition groups say armed forces launched a large-scale attack on areas controlled by government forces and seized territory in northwestern Syria. Activists said the government and its allies responded with airstrikes and shelling to ward off the insurgent advances. Syria’s armed forces said Thursday the offensive was led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, which controls much of northwest Syria and is in violation of a de-escalation agreement. It said the attacks are ongoing and have targeted a number of villages and military bases.