Government forces backed by Russia intensify campaign to take the rebel-held Idlib province.

Syria's government is stepping up its campaign to retake the last rebel-held province.

On Monday, five Turkish soldiers and three civilians were killed by shelling on Idlib in the northwest.

Ankara backs opposition groups and had sent reinforcements to counter President Bashar al-Assad's offensive.

Turkey and Syria's biggest ally, Russia, negotiated a ceasefire over Idlib in January.

However, the truce is not holding and the UN says nearly 400,000 people have been forced to flee.

Are hopes now fading for a peaceful end to nearly nine years of war?

Presenter: Darren Jordon

Guests:

Marwan Kabalan - Head of policy analysis at the Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies

Matthew Bryza - Former White House official and US diplomat

Glenn Diesen - Professor of international relations at the Higher School of Economics in Moscow

Source: Al Jazeera News