Iraqi militias back Syrian government’s counter-offensive against insurgents

The insurgents’ move caught the government by surprise (Syrian Civil Defence White Helmets via AP)

Iranian-backed Iraqi militias have deployed in Syria to back the government’s counter-offensive against a surprise advance by insurgents who seized the largest city of Aleppo last week, officials said.

Insurgents led by jihadi group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham launched a two-pronged attack on Aleppo and moved into the countryside around Idlib and neighbouring Hama province.