DAMASCUS, SYRIA (3:00 P.M.) – The Syrian government forces – backed by local fighters and Russian Air Force – managed to curb the advance made by jihadi groups in northern Hama countryside and began a decisive counter-offensive to recover the lost villages and towns.
Today, the government troops recaptured al-Shiha Hiltop located to the north of al-Shiha town, thus paving the way to re-open the strategic Hama-Mahardah road.
To the east, jihadi rebels were forced to retreat from the al-Samman Hilltop (Point 50) located to the north of Qamhana, a government-controlled town which has been the main target for rebels for the last few days.
Meanwhile, Syrian and Russian fighter jets conducted heavy airstrikes on rebel positions in Halfaya and Al-Lataminah; both towns serve as the launch-pad for rebel forces to attack the Christian city of Mahardah.
