Fierce clashes erupted around the outskirts of Hama in Syria as armed anti-regime groups clashed with regime forces in their bid to advance into the city, sources said.
Anti-regime groups, led by Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS), have been engaged in renewed fighting with regime forces since 27 November.
The fighting has centred around the city’s eastern outskirts, including the Mezarib and Arbain neighbourhoods.
Meanwhile, Russian warplanes supporting Bashar Al-Assad’s regime carried out air strikes in the areas to halt the opposition’s progress.
Tensions across northern Syria have been escalating since late last month. On 30 November, anti-regime groups captured much of central Aleppo following a rapid advance from its western countryside.
The groups also seized the town of Khan Shaykhun, gaining near-total control of Idlib province.
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