Syrian rebels today captured four more cities and are closing in on the central city of Hama, opposition activists said, while government forces recaptured some territory. which they lost last week, the Associated Press reported.
The new offensive by forces opposed to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is part of a wider offensive by rebels led by the jihadist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham as well as Turkish-backed opposition fighters. Their forces are about 10 kilometers from the city of Hama, the fourth largest in the country.
Over the past few days, the rebels have managed to capture a large part of Syria's largest city, Aleppo, as well as towns and villages in the southern part of Idlib province.
A rebel military administration official said their fighters killed 50 government forces and captured the towns of Halfaya, Taybat al-Imam, Mardis and Soran.
The Britain-based war monitor Syrian Center for Human Rights, which is linked to the opposition, confirmed that the towns had been captured.
The pro-government media “Dama Post“ reported intense clashes in and around the towns and added that Syrian troops were shelling rebels in the area. State media reported intense airstrikes by the Syrian and Russian air forces.
Both the Human Rights Watch and pro-government media reported that Syrian government forces today captured the village of Hanaser, which is located on one of the roads leading to Aleppo.
A statement from the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces in the east of the country said it had captured seven villages from pro-government fighters. However, Syrian state media rejected this report and said the attacks by the US-backed fighters had been repelled. The settlements are located near a base where American troops are stationed in the area bordering Iraq, the AP points out.
Syria's state news agency reported that Syrian army forces are strengthening their defense lines in Hama province and preparing for a counteroffensive against armed groups, Reuters reported.