"The Syrian army has regained control over the towns and settlements of Khvein al-Kabir, Az Zarzur, Sham Al Hawa, An Niha, Kliat Tubia and Al Musharraf in the northeast of Hama province," the source said.
According to the source, the army re-established control over these settlements during military operations conducted in the direction of Idlib province. During the offensive, the Syrian army also destroyed militants' equipment, weapons, armored vehicles and vehicles equipped with heavy machine guns.
The Syrian government army has also liberated several villages from terrorists in the Idlib province, a Syrian commander told Sputnik on Wednesday.
"The Syrian army continues operation in the southeast of the Idlib province and regained full control over two villages — Umm Sahridj and Ed-Daribiya — as well as Umm Sahridj railway station," the commander said.
According to him, during the offensive the government troops also regained control over Umm al Halahil, Al-Tawbah settlements and Al Jadaan farm.
Attack on Police Office
Furthermore, the Syrian government forces have repulsed a large militant attack in the settlement of Harasta in the eastern suburb of Damascus, the Al Ekhbariya TV channel reported on Wednesday, adding that the militants left the zone of de-escalation and, by violating the ceasefire regime, attacked a building with a criminal police office.
During the offensive, the militants blew up several vehicles and attempted to storm the police building, which is strategically located on a hill near the Harasta highway, according to the broadcaster.
The Syrian government and police forces have repulsed the attack of terrorists, forcing them to retreat.
Terrorism in Syria
According to Syrian President Bashar Assad, terrorism in the country is currently being spearheaded by the Jabhat Fatah al Sham terror group after the Daesh insurgents were defeated.
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The advance follows the recently reported operation south-east of this area, in the so-called "Hernon Pocket," where the local government managed to reach a deal with the al-Nusra jihadists through intermediaries on joining the program of reconciliation and establish a ceasefire regime in the area. The victories of the Syrian Arab Army (SAA), which allowed the government forces to gain control over the dominant terrain, contributed to the success of the talks.
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The SAA proceeds to crack down on terrorists following Russia's partial withdrawal from Syria after a two-year-long aerial campaign. The decision to pull out was announced on December 11 by Russian President Putin, who specified, however, that the bases in Tartus and Hmeymim, as well as the center for Syrian reconciliation, would continue to operate.
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