OREANDA-NEWS. The General Staff of the Syrian Arab Armed Forces announced the liberation from terrorists of more than 40 villages in Idlib Governorate during a military operation and called on civilians to leave the settlements held by the militants.

“Over the past few days, our valiant military men cleared more than 320 square kilometers and drove out Jabhat al-Nusra militants and other terrorist groups from Idlib, more than 40 villages have been freed,” General Staff’s statement cited by Ikhbariya state channel says.

The operation in Idlib began on December 19.

The list of liberated villages includes strategically important points, for example the village located ten kilometers from the city of Maarat al-Numan, held by militants since 2012.

“The General Staff of the Syrian Army emphasizes the intention to complete the cleanup of Idlib Governorate from terrorists and their patrons, and, at the same time, the intention to save the lives of civilians, it calls on them to stay farther from places where militants are, quickly leave these areas and move to the territories where Syrian government army is deployed,” the statement says.