(MENAFN) Armed factions against Syria’s Bashar al-Assad regime have seized 16 additional settlements in the western city of Hama. The opposition forces, involved in battels with regime forces for the previous six days, have made notable land acquisitions, gaining control of the local center of Aleppo in addition to regions south of Idlib province near regime-controlled Hama.

The armed gangs, which have recaptured most of the Aleppo city center and all of Idlib province from the regime military forces, have up till now seized control of 16 additional settlements such as Al-Jalamah, Al-Zakah, Jubbayn, Tal Meleh, Kirkat, Al-Mughayr, Al-Mabatan, Al-Huwayz as well as Shari'a.

Anti-regime forces headed by Hay'et Tahrir al-Sham captured of the villages of Van Vastani, Madbaa, Ebru Seyf along with Suran district in northern Hama as well. Additionally, the anti-regime armed groups targeted a site close to Hama province utilized by Iran-backed forces besides taking control of the strategic city of Morik along the M5 highway in Hama province.

Battles started on November 27 between Assad regime forces and anti-regime armed factions in the western countryside of Aleppo city in northern Syria. The anti-regime armed groups moved ahead swiftly to the center of the city between November 27 and 28. By November 30, they had dominated most of the central region. The armed groups seized Khan Shaykhun district, hardening their domination over the entire Idlib city.

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