Syrian army forces gain more ground in Hama

The so-called Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on Thursday that Syrian army troops and their allied forces had established control over the villages of al-Sakhr and al-Jaysat.

The Britain-based monitor further noted that fierce clashes in the area since Wednesday night had killed seven Syrian army soldiers as well as 18 Takfiri militants.

The development came only a day after the Syrian army managed to retake two key towns in the northern countryside of Hama, forcing militants to flee to their last strongholds in that area.

Syria’s official news agency SANA said the army has wrested control over the towns of al-Arbaeen and al-Zaka following battles with foreign-backed extremists.

Zaka used to serve as a major stronghold of the Jabhat Fateh al-Sham Takfiri terrorist group, formerly known as al-Nusra Front, and was a launching pad for the group's attacks on Syrian military positions.

The liberation of the strategic town will pave the way for the Syrian army advancement to the towns of Kafr Zita and al-Lataminah.

Capturing Kafr Zita and Lataminah will leave the entire Hama province under government control.

Early on Wednesday, militant groups in the northern countryside of Hama unleashed a massive attack with a large number of armed men and explosive-laden vehicles, which led to the retreat of Syrian army forces.

Government troops later launched a counter-offensive, and retrieved the lost areas and restored security there, SANA said.

Syrian soldiers inflicted heavy losses on terrorists, and restored the situation to what it was prior to the militant attack, SANA added.

“Our units which are tasked with carrying out the mission are continuing to hunt down the remnants of gunmen in the region,” an unnamed Syrian military source said.