According to activists, the Islamist rebels in Syria have taken over much of the key north-western town of Jisr al-Shughur.
Jisr al-Shughur is the only major town under government control in Idlib province and correspondents say it could give them a route into the heartland of the ruling elite’s power.
The assault by the Islamist forces, including the al-Qaeda-affiliated al-Nusra Front started on Thursday.
According to State media, there was still fierce fighting on Saturday.