Russian jets have stepped up air strikes on several towns in Syria's rebel-held Idlib province and rural Aleppo. This comes two days after rebels evacuated their last pocket area in the northern city of Aleppo.

There were also reports of casualties, mainly among civilians, as Idlib has been a target of Russia's heavy bombing campaign against rebel-held areas for months.

Insurgent control collapsed in the city and rebels were forced to agree to an evacuation deal following increased aerial raids and shelling.

And, the Syrian army has hinted the next major campaign after its victory in Aleppo is to rout out insurgents in their stronghold of Idlib province.