Road to Idlib: Life in jeopardy in the northern Syrian city as Russia-backed government forces press for victory

Syrian government forces and allied militiamen are advancing on the largest remaining rebel-held territory in the country's north, forcing thousands of civilians to flee toward the border with Turkey amid a crushing offensive just as the cold winter weather sets in.

Syrian government forces and allied militiamen are advancing on the largest remaining rebel-held territory in the country's north, forcing thousands of civilians to flee toward the border with Turkey amid a crushing offensive just as the cold winter weather sets in. (Photo | AP) 

In this photo provided by the Syrian anti-government activist group Edlib Media Center (EMC) shows a Syrian displaced man who fled from a countryside village of Idlib city sits outside his tent at an informal refugee camp. (Photo | AP)

Syrian citizens load their belongings at a pickup, as they flee their house which attacked by Russian airstrikes, in Tel al-Toukan village, eastern Idlib province. (Photo | AP)

Members of the Syrian civil defense known as the White Helmets are seen gathering at a street which was attacked by Russian airstrikes, in Maarat al-Nuaman town, southern Idlib province. (Photo | AP)

A displaced Syrian man and boy, who fled from an under-attack countryside village of Idlib city sits outside their tent at an informal refugee camp. (Photo | AP)

In this photo provided by the Syrian anti-government activist group Edlib Media Center (EMC), Russian Tu-22 bombers escorted by the Su-27s fighter jets drop bombs on a target in Syria. (Photo | AP)

Civil-militas patrols debris-filled streets of Syrian city of Idlib. (Photo | AP)