Fierce battles are taking place between the Syrian regime forces and the opposition factions in the Hama countryside, with the continued advance and the "Deterrence of Aggression" operation launched by Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham and its allied factions last week.

The regime's SANA news agency reported on Wednesday morning that army units "continue their operations against the sites and axes of terrorist organizations' movements in the northern Hama countryside, and were able to expand the city's security zone by about 20 km after eliminating a number of terrorists and destroying their vehicles."

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that "Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham and the factions working with it within the 'Deterrence of Aggression' battle failed to control Jabal Zain al-Abidin near the city of Hama."

It added that "fierce battles erupted with the regime forces, which launched a counterattack after midnight on Tuesday-Wednesday, with air support from warplanes, during which they recaptured the villages of Kafr'a and Ma'arshhur, and pushed Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham away from the city of Hama by about 10 kilometers."

According to the Observatory, military reinforcements from the regime forces and the National Defense arrived at the northern, eastern and western axes of the Hama countryside, in addition to the arrival of local gunmen from the villages to the outskirts of Hama city.

Yesterday, Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham took control of Al-Samaqiyat, Kafr Ra'a, Ma'arshahur, Ma'ardis, the Al-Majanzarat School, which is considered the headquarters of the 25th Division and the 87th Brigade, the Batish checkpoint, and Rahbat Khattab, according to the Observatory.

On Tuesday, the "Deterrence of Aggression" forces led by Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham expanded their operations in the Hama countryside and reached the gates of Hama city. The organization cut off the main roads with Hama city towards Mahardah and al-Suqaylabiyah.

The death toll from the fighting since November 27 has risen to 605, including 299 from Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham and allied factions, 199 from regime forces and loyalist militias, and 107 civilians.