SYRIAN Arab army forces ambushed a group of jihadists that were heading towards the strategic city of Jisr al-Shughou today, days after a  government offensive to retake Idlib, which is currently under Turkish control.

Missiles were fired destroying four vehicles which were part of a convoy heading to the province in north-west Syria. Two passengers were also reported to be wounded in the attack.

Military sources said that militants from the Turkestan Islamic Party in the nearby town of Zayzoun in the Al-Ghaab Plain were targeted by the Syrian Arab Army offensive.

The activities occurred days after President Bashar al-Assad's forces moved towards Hama and Idlib, two of the last remaining jihadist strongholds in the country. 

Fears have been raised over potential clashes with Turkey, which Damascus has accused of behaving like an occupying force, introducing the Turkish lira and teaching Turkish in schools in Afrin following its illegal invasion in January.

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has warned against an offensive to retake Idlib, however Russia is understood to support Mr Assad.