Damascus/BeirutcTypeface:> The Syrian government, backed by Russian planes and their allies among pro-Iranian militias, has thwarted some rebel advances in the northern countryside around the city of Hama, a Syria commander told DPA on Tuesday.
The field commander, who requested anonymity as he did not have permission to speak to the media, said their forces had launched a large-scale attack on Monday evening to re-take areas they had lost in recent days.
The commander told DPA the Syrian army had recaptured the town of Khanaser, 80 kilometres south-east of Aleppo, less than 48 hours after rebel opposition factions took control of it on Sunday. He added that Syrian army forces and allies had begun advancing towards the city of Safira, 25 kilometres south-east of Aleppo.
Safira is considered the gateway to Aleppo, the second-largest city in Syria. (DPA)