HTS claims advances, government denies losses
Hama, Syria (North Press) – Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS, formerly known as al-Nusra Front) and the Turkish-backed armed opposition factions, aka the Syrian National Army (SNA), took control of several neighborhoods in the city of Hama in west-central Syria after intense clashes with government forces, an SNA leader told North Press on Thursday.
The leader said the HTS took control of the neighborhoods of al-Arbaeen, al-Mazareb, and al-Sawa’eq in Hama. However, the HTS and the SNA have yet to provide visual evidence of these territorial gains.
Reports from SNA media indicated that the government forces conducted heavy machine gun airstrikes targeting locations in the northern countryside of Hama, including the Maardes mills, Taybat al-Imam city, and the Jabal Kafraa center. Similar strikes were reported near the village of al-Mubarakat in the east of Hama.
Syrian state television downplayed the SNA’s claims, stating that “a minor breach occurred at the al-Mazareb Bridge, which was swiftly addressed by the government forces, adding that the city is 100 percent secure.
The government also accused the SNA factions of targeting residential neighborhoods in Hama with mortar fire and drones, raising concerns over civilian safety amidst the escalating conflict.