PHOTO: Regime tank captured in northern Hama Province by rebels on Monday

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UPDATE 2140 GMT: Rebels have captured the village of Khattab, northwest of Hama city.

The rebel force is now less than 10 km (6 miles) from Hama.

UPDATE 1600 GMT: Rebels have reportedly captured the town of Taibat al-Imam.

TAIBAT AL-IMAM

Rebels were briefly inside the town on Monday night but pulled back to the first regime defense line.

UPDATE 1330 GMT: Rebels have retaken the village of al-Buwaydah from the regime.

Al-Buwaydah was one of four villages rapidly captured by rebels on Monday at the outset of the north Hama offensive; however, fighters withdrew last night, possibly in the face of Russian-regime airstrikes.

Pro-regime websites acknowledged on Tuesday that the Syrian military could only hold the village for about six hours before the rebels regained it after clashes at dawn.

ORIGINAL ENTRY: Rebel factions have stepped up pressure on the Assad regime and the Syrian military with an offensive in northern Hama Province in western Syria.

Launched after a month after rebels began regaining territory near Syria’s largest city Aleppo, the attacks are seeking to further disrupt regime supply lines in northwest Syria. It could force the overstretched Syrian forces to choose between the Hama front in that in neighboring Aleppo, or to move forces from Latakia Province to the west of Hama.

The offensive had been anticipated for weeks since rebels broke the pro-Assad siege of Aleppo city in early August. Pro-rebel sources said yesterday that the launch was held so the regime could move more forces to the Aleppo front, further weakening lines in Hama.

When the assault early Monday, it quickly overrun 14 checkpoints and swept through four villages, destroying and capturing armored vehicles, anti-tank missiles, and heavy weapons. By afternoon, the town of Helfaya, 16 km (10 miles) northwest of Hama city, had been taken.

Rebels later withdrew from one of the villages, al-Buwaydah, for unknown reasons. However, claims said they were on the point of taking the town of Taibat al-Imam after beginning the assault with two vehicle bombs.

Russian and regime warplanes responded with airstrikes — reportedly including incendiary weapons — not only on northern Hama but also on opposition-held Idlib Province, including the cities of Idlib and Jisr al-Shughour.

Residents of northern Hama burn tires to deter Russian-regime airstrikes

Artur Rosinski’s map:

HELFAYA 29-08-16

Next Move?

The rapid advance raised speculation about the next big move by the rebels. Pro-rebel sources ruled out a drive on Hama city for now.

Other observers spoke of an attack on Mahardeh, west of Helfaya. However, a local analyst noted that the town is well-fortified as a “reservoir” for the regime’s defense. There are also political issues, given the significant Christian population.

One local source assessed that rebels could consolidate in the territory taken on Monday, forcing the Syrian military to consider its response to what is now a multi-front challenge. He said, “They are sitting in the middle with their strongest forces, while the regime has to take long roads to move its forces from one battlefield to another.”

Reports from Helfaya, including footage of the ruins of the National Hospital, which became a regime military position:

Civilians leaving the town:

Storming of the village of Zalaqiat:

Video from a rebel drone of the attack on the al-Masasnah checkpoint:

Despite Russian-regime bombing, rebels destroy another regime checkpoint:

2016-08-30

(Map: IHS Conflict Monitor)

Turkish-Rebel Force Takes 3 More Villages from ISIS in Northern Aleppo

Turkish-supported rebels captured three more villages in northern Aleppo Province from the Islamic State on Tuesday:

Video: Fighting Inside Air Force College on SW Aleppo Front

Pro-Assad forces have mounted yet another attempt to enter the air force college and artillery base on the front southwest of Aleppo city. Video from the college complex:

The Syrian military and foreign allies, supported by Russian-regime airstrikes, have mounted repeated attempts — unsuccessful so far, and at the cost of heavy casualties — to re-enter the college and base, one of the regime’s largest in Syria, since they were captured by rebels in early August.

Meanwhile, rebels said they retook the village of Qarassi after a 15-hour battle.

Footage of an anti-tank guided missile hitting a group of pro-Assad militia:

Map: The Turkish-Rebel Advance Across Northern Aleppo

Artur Rosinski’s map of the Turkish-rebel advance across northern Aleppo Province against both the Islamic State and the Kurdish-Syrian Democratic Forces:

NORTH ALEPPO 30-08-16

Within five days, the Turkish-rebel offensive has already taken all territory from the border town of Jarablus south to the Sajur River — closing on the SDF-held city of Manbij — and is advancing west from Jarablus towards al-Rai as it pushes back the Islamic State.