UPDATE - Armed anti-regime groups capture 12 more settlements in Syria's Hama

UPDATES WITH MORE SETTLEMENTS RECAPTURED

By Anadolu staff

HAMA, Syria (AA) — Armed groups opposing the Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria have captured 12 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 regional hub Aleppo, as well as areas south of northwestern Idlib province toward regime-held Hama.

The armed groups, which have retaken most of Aleppo city center and all of Idlib province from the regime forces, have most recently taken control of 12 more settlements, including Al-Jalamah, Al-Zakah, Jubbayn, Tal Meleh, Kirkat, Al-Mughayr, and Al-Mabatan, Al-Huwayz, and Shari'a.

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 from the western countryside of Aleppo 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.

*Writing by Efe Ozkan