Syrian army forces carried out over 40 airstrikes in the northwestern town of Jisr al-Shughour, which had been taken over by Turkish-backed armed extremist groups, and reestablished contact with government forces fighting there. Analysts view the battle as a means of exerting pressure on the Syrian government. Most Syrians, however, view Western aid to the extremist forces as a serious threat to the country. Nashwan Abdullah reports from Damascus. teleSUR