Syrian government forces advance since the resumption of military operations
Idlib – North-Press Agency
The shelling and bombardment was renewed on in northwestern Syria region, in coincidence with the return of cautious and relative calm in the northern countryside of Hama, after the first advance and control of Syrian government forces in the battle of International Road axis, following the resumption of its military operations.
On Wednesday morning, the Syrian and Russian Air Forces targeted with airstrikes the areas of Midaya, Basida, al-Rakaya, and al-Hamidiah in the southern countryside of Idlib, as well as areas in Ltamenah and Kafr Zita, north of Hama.
This follows raids during the last night hours on areas in Maraand, west of Jisr al-Shughur and Kabanah Hills in the northeastern Latakia countryside.
Meanwhile, the armed opposition groups targeted Syrian government positions in the western and northern countryside of Hama governorate without any information on casualties.
Clashes also took place on the axes in the eastern countryside of Idlib, between the Syrian government forces and the armed opposition groups which coincided with mutual shelling on the fighting axes between the two sides.
According to the North-Press reporter, the latest escalation has raised fears among civilians of the resumption of military operations in the de-escalation zones in the northwest of the country, as families did not reach the areas from which they had been displaced earlier; the ground and air bombardments were resumed.
Last night, al-Arbaeen village in the northern countryside of Hama, which is about 12 km away from the International Road connecting Aleppo with the Syrian capital Damascus, has witnessed heavy clashes between the Syrian government forces and the armed opposition groups, amid the advance of the former, which enabled the government forces to take control over the village.
This is the first advance of the Syrian government forces since the resumption of its military operations in the de-escalation zones on Monday, although the opposition groups have denied the government’s advance by their social media accounts.
The UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric said: “The UN continues to observe the fragile situation in northwestern Syria.”
Stéphane Dujarri said that there are reports indicating that some civilians have returned to their houses in their hometowns in southern Idlib, while stressed: “The return of civilians raises concerns about the impact of the unexploded ammunitions, as well as the lack or absence of basic services, including water and the ability of humanitarian workers to reach the residents there.”