Syrian army forces liberate strategic hilltop in Hama

Syrian army forces, backed by fighters from pro-government popular defense groups, have engaged Takfiri terrorists in the western central province of Hama, liberating a strategic hilltop from the extremists.

Military sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Syrian soldiers and their allies launched an operation against foreign-backed terrorists east of the town of Athreya on Friday evening, and managed to wrest control over Abu Zain Hill, Arabic-language Syria Now news website reported.

Separately, Syrian army units and popular defense groups cut off the major supply routes of ISIL terrorists after establishing control over al-Zakiya and Deir Hafir districts in Hama Province.

An unnamed military source said a large number of the terrorists were killed and wounded in the process, and scores of armored vehicles destroyed.

Moreover, a high-ranking commander of al-Qaeda-affiliated Nusra Front terrorist group, identified by the nom de guerre Omar Dagestani, has been killed during clashes with Syrian forces. There were, however, no immediate reports when and where the exchanges of gunfire took place.

Heavy clashes also broke out between Nusra Front terrorists and Daesh-affiliated Yarmouk Martyrs Brigade on the outskirts of Saham al-Jawlan village in Syria’s southwestern province of Dara’a, with no casualties reported.

Elsewhere on the southern outskirts of Mount Abdulaziz, located some 35 km west of the northeastern city of Hasakah, fierce skirmishes erupted between ISIL terrorists and militiamen from Syrian Democratic Forces. No reports of casualties were available.

SS