Al Qaeda-linked terrorist group advances in Syria

An Al Qaeda-linked terrorist group Hay'at Tahir al-Sham (HTS) is advancing in the northern province of Idlib, taking control from Turkish-backed groups connected to the National Liberation Front (NLF).

According to Fox News, the objective of the group which is also known as the "Organization for the Liberation of the Levant," is dominating as much territory as possible before the talks between Russia and Turkey, aimed at bringing an end to the almost eight-year Syrian civil war.

Recently, the HTS captured the strategically important town of Darat Izza that is close to two of Syria's main highways.

Fox News quoted Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) stating that the extremist group was initially formed at the beginning of the Syrian conflict in 2011 and has since remained a dangerous opposition force.

HTS was also added to the United States Department of State Foreign Terrorist designation as it is associated with al- Qaeda affiliate, Jabhat al-Nusra.

The group is considered to be anti-Iran, anti-US, anti-Russia and also anti-Assad regime in Syria.