DAMASCUS, Sept. 12 (Xinhua) -- The Syrian government forces on Wednesday shelled rebel-held areas in the northwestern province of Idlib and the central province of Hama, a monitor group reported.

The targeted areas are located in the southern and southeastern countryside of Idlib and the nearby northern countryside of Hama, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

No airstrikes, however, were reported in Idlib over the past 50 hours, the London-based watchdog said.

The Observatory had reported that Russian airstrikes were heavily targeting Idlib, possibly as a prelude to the anticipated military offensive in the province, the last major rebel stronghold in Syria.

The Western powers and Turkey, which holds sway over the rebels in Idlib, have warned against the potential military offensive in the Syrian province where more than 3 million people live.