HTS seizes more areas in Syria’s Hama
HAMA, Syria (North Press) – Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS, once known as al-Nusra Front) seized on Wednesday more areas in the countryside of Hama, west-central Syria as battles continue between the Syrian government forces.
Opposition media reported that HTS and Turkish-back armed opposition factions, aka the Syrian National Army (SNA) launched a wide-scale attack, seizing control of several “strategic” towns and villages, including Khattab, Maar Shahour, Tayyibat al-Imam, and Halfaya.
The opposition affiliated Syria TV channel said that the government forces withdrew from multiple positions in Hama city towards Salamiyah. It added that the government forces removed funds and documents from banks and closed currency exchange offices in Hama city.
Clashes intensified on the outskirts of Qomhane, north of Hama city, after HTS and SNA factions captured the village of Suruj and its nearby camp, approximately 18 kilometers northeast of Salamiyeh.
Moreover, HTS claimed control of Jabal Kafraa in northern Hama countryside.
Meanwhile, joint Russian-Syrian airstrikes targeted several areas, including Khan Shaykhun and the vicinity of Kurin in southern Idlib.
The government forces reported “intense” clashes with “terrorist organizations” on the Jabal Zayn al-Abidin northeast of Hama city and in the northwest countryside. They claimed to have inflicted significant casualties on the opposition factions.
Syrian state television, via Telegram, stated that more than 1,600 HTS fighters were killed during recent battles across fronts in rural Hama, Aleppo, and Idlib. It also reported the downing of a drone in the Latakia countryside, which caused no damage.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said that HTS failed to capture Jabal Zayn al-Abidin. It reported that the government forces launched a counteroffensive early on Wednesday, backed by airstrikes, reclaiming the villages of Kafraa and Maar Shahour and pushing HTS back approximately 10 kilometers from Hama city.
SOHR also noted that government reinforcements have been deployed to the Hama countryside.