UPDATE 2 - Armed anti-regime groups capture 16 more settlements in Syria's Hama

ADDS MORE SETTLEMENTS RECAPTURED, REVISES NUMBERS IN HEADLINE, LEDE

By Anadolu staff

HAMA, Syria (AA) - Armed groups opposing Syria’s Bashar al-Assad regime have captured 16 more settlements in the western province of Hama.

The opposition forces, engaged in clashes with regime forces for the past six days, have made significant territorial gains, taking control of the regional hub of Aleppo as well as areas south of Idlib province toward regime-held Hama.

The armed groups, which have retaken most of the Aleppo city center and all of Idlib province from the regime forces, have most recently taken control of 16 more settlements including Al-Jalamah, Al-Zakah, Jubbayn, Tal Meleh, Kirkat, Al-Mughayr, Al-Mabatan, Al-Huwayz and Shari'a.

Anti-regime forces led by Hay'et Tahrir al-Sham also took control of the villages of Van Vastani, Madbaa, Ebru Seyf and Suran district in northern Hama.

Also, the anti-regime forces targeted a location near Hama city used by Iran-backed forces in addition to capturing the strategic town of Morik along the M5 highway in Hama province.

Clashes broke out on Nov. 27 between Assad regime forces and anti-regime armed groups in the western countryside of Aleppo province in northern Syria.

Between Nov. 27 and 28, the anti-regime armed groups advanced rapidly toward the center of the province.

By Nov. 30, they had taken control of most of the central area.

The armed groups captured Khan Shaykhun district, solidifying their control over the entire Idlib region.