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full screen The Syrian flag lies on the ground at Aleppo airport, which has been captured by opposition jihadist rebels. Photo: Omar Albam/AP/TT
The jihadist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which last week took control of the war-torn city of Aleppo in northern Syria, is said to be advancing on the city of Hama.
HTS and other Islamist-led rebel forces are now fighting the “most violent” battles with regime forces since they launched their sudden offensive last week, according to the UK-based opposition conflict monitor Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR).
“Battles have broken out in the countryside north of Hama where rebel forces have captured several towns and villages in the last few hours,” writes SOHR, which has a wide network of reporters in Syria.
The Syrian and Russian air forces are said to have raided the area in parallel, according to the Sana news agency, among others.
At the same time, Israel is singled out for a targeted air raid against a car that was traveling on the road to Damascus airport. The car exploded and it is not known who was traveling in it, according to information in state media.
HTS last week launched a surprise offensive against government forces under President Bashar al-Assad, leading to the capture of Aleppo.
Bashar al-Assad has the support of Russia, Iran and Shia militias in the region. He remains in office despite the devastating civil war, sparked by the Arab Spring of 2011, which has ravaged large parts of the country.