Syrian Army Repels Terrorist Attack, 140 Militants Estimated Dead - Russian MoD

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Militants attacked Hama Province on 6-7 June, according to the Russian Centre for Syrian Reconciliation.

Militants from the *Hayat Tahrir al-Sham terror group launched an offensive late on Thursday. At least 500 terrorists with the support of armoured vehicles and tanks, attacked Syrian Army positions near the towns of Jabin and Tal Melh, according to Maj. Gen. Viktor Kupchishin, commander of the Russian Centre for Syrian Reconciliation.

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"While repelling the attack, Syrian government forces killed over 120 terrorists and destroyed five tanks, three IFV, nine off-road vehicles, a multiple-launch rocket system and two mortars", Kupchishin said at a daily briefing.

The Russian general also said that on 7 June armed opposition groups from the Idlib de-escalation zone launched attacks on government forces' positions near the towns of Karnaz and Hamamiyat in Hama Province.

According to Kupchishin, about 80 militants and seven pickup trucks participated in the attack on Karnaz. About 60 militants took part in the attack on Hamamiyat with the support of two tanks, an IFV and a pickup truck.

"While repelling the attacks by armed opposition groups, the armed forces of the Syrian Arab Republic destroyed more than 20 militants, a tank and two pickup trucks", he concluded.

In early May, terrorists increased the frequency of attacks on the Syrian provinces of Hama, Aleppo, and Latakia. They also attempted attacks on Syrian Army positions in the region. Government forces have responded by attacking terrorist formations in Idlib Province. Syrian forces are targeting Nusra Front terrorist group depots, artillery positions, and observation posts.

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Northwestern Idlib is reportedly still home to around 30,000 gunmen, including foreign mercenaries, and militants from the Nusra Front terror group.

Idlib Province is one of four designated de-escalation zones in the Syrian civil war in which government forces led by President Bashar al-Assad and the opposition, including terrorist organisations, have been fighting since 2011. Russia, Turkey, and Iran act as guarantors of the ceasefire in these zones.

Despite a countrywide ceasefire regime having been established, violations by illegal armed formations in the Idlib de-escalation zone still occur.

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*Hayat Tahrir al-Sham is a terrorist group banned in Russia and many other countries.