SYRIAN troops continued their advance to cut off al-Qaida militants in the north of the country yesterday, as Russia insisted Saudi-backed extremists were not recognised “negotiating partners.

Troops backed by local militias and Russian warplanes liberated the village of Hardatnin from the Nusra Front, al-Qaida’s Syrian affiliate.

They also advanced on neighbouring Ritan — just a day after taking Duwayr al-Zeitoun and Tell Jibin.