"Taking into account that the agreement on the ceasefire under conditions of implementation of the Sochi agreements by Ankara was not implemented despite Syria's efforts in this direction, the army and armed forces therefore resume the military operation against terrorist groups with different names and will respond to any aggression in accordance with its constitutional obligations to protect the Syrian people and ensure their security," the statement said, as quoted by the Ikhbariya TV channel.
Idlib is reportedly controlled mainly by Hayat Tahrir Sham* and remains the last opposition stronghold. Government forces are fighting to take back the territory with support from Russia as part of a counterterrorism operation.
Syria has been in a state of civil war for eight years, with the government forces fighting against numerous opposition groups as well as militant and terrorist organizations.
The conflict in the country produced over five million refugees and over six million internally displaced people. Over 13 million Syrians, nearly half of them children, require humanitarian assistance.
Russia, Turkey, and Iran are the guarantors of the ceasefire in the conflict-ravaged Syria.
*Hayat Tahrir Sham is a terrorist group banned in Russia and many other countries.
