Rebel and FSA fighters continue their rapid advances in northern rural Hama, capturing new areas from Assad regime forces and approaching the city of Hama, with only three kilometers separating them from the city.
An FSA commander on Thursday said that they captured the villages of Shaizar and Sheilout about 15 kilometers to the northwest of Hama as well as the villages of Kawkab and Iskandariya about 15 kilometers to the north. They also took control of long stretches of Maharda-Suqeilbiya Road and the Qaramita checkpoint to the northwest and the Tal Bazzam checkpoint in the north.
The rebel and FSA groups pressed their attack to the south, capturing the Abbadi Hill south of the town of Maardes and the Madajin checkpoint near the town of Qamhana.
Rebel and FSA groups, including Ahrar Al-Sham, Jaish Alnasir, Jaish Alizza, the FSA’s Central Division, and Abnaa’ Al-Sham on Sunday launched a major coordinated offensive to liberate northern rural Hama. They have so far captured up to 21 towns and villages and destroyed at least 12 regime checkpoints. They have also destroyed two warplanes stationed at Hama air base.
Regime forces and Iranian-backed militias suffered heavy losses, with at least 150 and 50 militants killed from each side respectively. The rebel and FSA fighters also destroyed at least 25 tanks and vehicles in the area. (Source: Syrian Coalition’s Media Department)
