DAMASCUS, April 30 (Xinhua) -- The Syrian army has started sending reinforcements to the northwestern province of Idlib as part of the preparation for a possible operation against the rebels, the pro-government al-Watan newspaper reported Tuesday.

The report said the new development comes as Turkey has failed to live up to its pledges regarding the rebels' situation in Idlib, as de-escalation zones' deal reached between Turkey and Russia last September is falling apart.

The army started sending reinforcements to the countryside of Idlib and nearby Hama Province after the increase in the attacks by the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front on military positions in the region.

The state media in Syria report almost on a daily basis news about the Syrian army responding to attacks by the Nusra Front in the countryside of Hama and Idlib.

Meanwhile, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights watchdog group said the Syrian airstrikes targeted several areas in Idlib and Hama on Monday, adding Russian warplanes joined in striking the rebels' positions.

Turkey and Russia brokered a deal last September to impose a demilitarized zone in Idlib and its surrounding areas. However, violations are still being reported on an almost daily basis.

The extremist groups such as the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) refused to withdraw from the zone.

On the contrary, the HTS expanded and controlled the entire Idlib area.

The Syrian government has repeatedly said Idlib would inevitably return under the government control and the government's patience has limits. Enditem

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