Tehran summit debates to decide the fate of Syria's Idlib province

The meeting could determine the scale, timeline of the offensive. Pics/AFP

The presidents of Iran, Russia and Turkey meet Friday in Tehran for a summit set to decide the future of Idlib province amid fears of a humanitarian disaster in Syria's last major rebel bastion.

Hundreds of civilians fled the northwestern province as government forces and their allies readied for what could be the last - and bloodiest - major battle of Syria's devastating seven-year civil war.

Seized from government forces in 2015, Idlib and adjacent areas form the final major chunk of Syrian territory still under opposition control. Turkey, which has long backed Syrian rebels, fears the assault could prompt an influx of Syrians attempting to find safety on its territory.

But regime backers Russia and Iran have sworn to wipe out "terrorists" and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has declared his determination to retake control of the entire country.

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