While opposition forces claim they have captured more Syrian troops and militants backed by Iran in intense skirmishes, the Syrian government claims its counteroffensive has driven back opposition fighters trying to advance to the vital central city of Hama.
Over the past week, forces hostile to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad have made their largest progress in years, seizing towns and villages in the southern half of the northwest Idlib province as well as significant portions of Aleppo, the country’s largest city in the north.
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and the Syrian National Army (SNA), a rebel group supported by Turkey, are spearheading the onslaught. In recent years, both organizations have established themselves in areas of northern Aleppo and northwest Idlib province.
