Syrian Army, Militias Kill Over 20 Extremists in Hama Province

Syrian government troops destroyed several fortifications of the enemy, while the Russian Aerospace Forces and the Syrian Air Forces struck terrorist objects in the Hama province, according to a military source.

ALEPPO (Sputnik) – The Syrian army and militia killed 23 extremists in the past 24 hours in the western Hama province, a military source said Thursday.

"In the past 24 hours the army together with the militias killed 23 extremists during an offensive on terrorist strongholds in three villages on the border of Idlib and Hama provinces," the source told RIA Novosti.

According to the source, the government troops destroyed several fortifications of the enemy, while the Russian Aerospace Forces and the Syrian Air Forces struck terrorist objects. The offensive is continuing.

Syria has been mired in a civil war since 2011, with government forces loyal to President Bashar Assad fighting opposition factions and extremist groups, such as the Islamic State (ISIL or Daesh), which is banned in a range of countries, including Russia.

Russia has been launching airstrikes against Daesh since September 2015, following a request from Assad.