BEIRUT — The Syrian army has recaptured the northern rebel stronghold of Idlib near the Turkish border, a major base that military defectors had held for months, a pro-government newspaper and an activist group said Tuesday.
The three-day operation to capture Idlib gives the regime some momentum as it tries to crush the armed resistance. But it also fed international condemnation. The Arab League chief said the regime’s killing of civilians amounts to crimes against humanity and he called for an international inquiry.
New York-based Human Rights Watch said troops have planted land mines near its borders with Turkey and Lebanon along routes used by people fleeing the violence and trying to reach safety in neighbouring countries.
HRW said its report was based on accounts from witnesses and Syrian deminers and that the land mines have already caused civilian casualties.
“Any use of anti-personnel land mines is unconscionable,” said Steve Goose of Human Rights Watch.
“There is absolutely no justification for the use of these indiscriminate weapons by any country, anywhere, for any purpose.”