Syrian Defence Ministry denies claims of rebel offensive in Hama

The Syrian Ministry of Defence has denied reports claiming that armed militant groups had launched an offensive towards the Jisr al-Mizrab area, on the outskirts of Hama, and had breached its neighbourhoods.

The ministry issued a statement via Facebook, refuting the information, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

"The news regarding the advance of rebels into the Jisr al-Mizrab area or their breakthrough into any part of Hama city is not true," the statement read. The Ministry further clarified that Syrian air forces, supported by Russian forces, were conducting airstrikes against militant's vehicles in the northern part of Hama, strengthening the Syrian forces' defensive positions in the region.

Earlier, the Syrian Ministry of Defence reported heavy losses in both personnel and equipment for the rebel groups in Hama province due to ongoing clashes with Syrian military units. According to the ministry, dozens of militants had been killed.

Since December 3 morning, fierce fighting has been ongoing between the Syrian army and militants in Hama province. By the early afternoon, reports indicated that Syrian military units had pushed back rebel groups from the city of Hama's districts by at least 20 kilometres, gaining control over the surrounding areas. 

However, the clashes continued. Al-Ikhbaria television reported that significant reinforcements had arrived for the army near the town of As-Saan in the northeast of Hama.

By Aghakazim Guliyev