The Turkish-backed rebels have surrendered their last positions in the southwestern countryside of the Idlib Governorate on Wednesday, Janury 9, local opposition activists claimed via social media, Al-Masdar News says.

According to a statement released by Harakat Ahrar Al-Sham, they have agreed to hand over all of their territories to Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham in the Shashabo Mountain and Al-Ghaab Plain.

With Ahrar Al-Sham’s surrender of southwest Idlib, Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham now controls all of the area near the Syrian Arab Army’s front-lines in the Al-Ghaab Plain.

Despite Ahrar Al-Sham’s surrender, the Turkish-backed rebels still control several towns in the neighboring Hama Governorate.

The Turkish-backed Jaysh Al-Izza faction is currently in control of several towns in northern Hama, including Al-Latamnah and Kafr Zita.