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The Iranian, Russian and Turkish Presidents are organizing a key summit in Tehran that could decide the fate of the last rebel stronghold in Syria.
There are fears of a humanitarian catastrophe if, as expected, a large-scale battle breaks out in Idlib.
Earlier, the new US envoy to Syria had said that there was "evidence" that Syrian government forces were preparing to use chemical weapons.
New airstrikes on rebel positions were reported on Friday morning.
Iran, Russia and Turkey played a central role in the Syrian conflict.
Turkey, which has long supported rebel groups, fears that a massive attack will trigger another refugee crisis on its southern border.
Russia and Iran – who have provided vital support to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad – believe the rebels in Idlib must be wiped out.
Russian planes bombed rebel areas in the northwestern region as Syrian government troops slaughtered for the expected offensive.
US envoy Jim Jeffrey said the anticipated conflict would be "reckless escalation," Reuters reported.
Author's right of the image
Reuters
Improvised gas masks are tried in Idlib before the planned offensive
"I am very sure that we have very good reasons to issue these warnings," Jeffrey said in his first interview since his appointment.
"Every offensive is reprehensible to us as a reckless escalation.There is ample evidence that chemical weapons are being prepared."
He did not give details of the evidence to which he referred.
The Syrian government has repeatedly denied using chemical weapons.
The US State Department warned on Monday that Washington would respond to any chemical attack by the Syrian government or its allies.
Despite Syrian denials, experts from the UN and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) have expressed confidence that the government forces were behind an attack involving Constable Sarin more 80 people.
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AFP
The population of Idlib has been inflated by refugees from other parts of Syria
Mr Jeffrey said that a "major diplomatic initiative" was now needed to put an end to the seven-year civil war.
- How Idlib could change Trump's strategy in Syria
He stated that there was "a new commitment" from President Donald Trump to remain involved in Syria until the Islamic State (IS) group was defeated and to make sure that the fighters Iranians – who support the Syrian authorities in the conflict – are leaving the country.
Mr Jeffrey said that President Assad had "no future as a leader" in Syria, but that it was not Washington's job to chase him away. He said the United States would work with Russia on a political transition.
There are an estimated 30,000 rebel and jihadist fighters in Idlib.
The UN says the region is home to some 2.9 million people, including one million children.
More than half of the civilians have already been displaced at least once to Syria and have nowhere else to go.
According to UN officials, 800,000 people could be displaced and the already high number of people in need of assistance could increase significantly.
