Syria: Government Forces Report Gains Against Rebels

Syrian government troops have asserted that they have successfully repelled attempts by Islamist rebels to advance into areas north of Hama. Following a series of clashes, the military initiated a large counteroffensive aimed at regaining territories lost in recent days. An army commander disclosed that the government forces managed to reclaim the town of Chanasir, located approximately 80 kilometers southeast of Aleppo, within 48 hours after it was captured by the insurgents.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a London-based organization that monitors the conflict through a network of informants, reported intense fighting between government troops and rebels in the northern Hama region. According to the observatory's director, Rami Abdel-Rahman, Russian warplanes and Iran-aligned militias have been providing support to the army. The air force has conducted over 45 aerial attacks, deploying barrel bombs in the process. Government forces have reportedly thwarted the rebel's advances.

Last week, a coalition of insurgents led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) launched an offensive in northwest Syria, managing to take control of Aleppo, the country's second-largest city, over the weekend. Hama is situated about 130 kilometers south of Aleppo.

Abdel-Rahman noted that government forces and their allies are now moving toward the city of Safira, which lies 25 kilometers outside Aleppo and serves as a strategic entry point to the city.

Meanwhile, the so-called Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), predominantly led by Kurdish militias, are reportedly trying to seize control of areas held by the government in the northeastern part of the country. Clashes have been ongoing in Dair as-Saur, where government forces are engaged with SDF-aligned militias. Additionally, US coalition aircraft have reportedly targeted positions held by Iran-affiliated militias in Dair as-Saur.

The ongoing conflict in Syria has seen a resurgence in violence, with various factions vying for control over key territories. The situation remains fluid, and developments continue to unfold as government forces attempt to consolidate their hold in the region while facing challenges from multiple rebel groups.