Syrian rebel have withdrawn from Helfaya town in northwestern Hama province after cutting off the supply routes by regime forces and allied Shiite militias, activists told Zaman a-Wasl Sunday.
The week-long heavy clashes in the northern countryside ended with the fall of Helfaya, Soran and parts of Taybet al-Imam towns to favor of regime forces.
Ubaida Abu Khazima, Hama-based activist, said despite rebels withdrawal from Helfaya, they still control the nearby villages amid expectations that they will take back the town.
Helfaya capture, which rebels had seized only last month, come after of targeting the town with 369 airstrikes and 45 Surface-to-Surface missiles, 880 Grad rockets and 508 artillery shells, according to the activist.
Syrian rebels on Saturday have engaged in fierce fighting with regime forces and allied militias in Hama province as
The regime forces this week have expanded its territory in Hama along the strategic western highway between Damascus and Aleppo.
The regime forces that advanced into the strategic town of Taybet al-Imam on Thursday still face fierce resistance by rebels who were able to halt its advance in the town, which lies 18 km (11 miles) north of Hama city.
The rebel factions have destroyed three Tanks and armored vehicle, taking advantage of the U.S.-made TOW missiles, field sources told Zaman al-Wasl.
The regime forces were backed by heavy Russian aerial strikes across a large swathe of territory to the west of the M5 highway held by rebels in their six-year war, they said.
Dozens of aerial strikes and heavy artillery also hit the nearby towns of Kafrzeita and Latamneh, killing two children.
Meanwhile, thousands of families had fled the fighting in the last few days, he added.
The army's capture this week of Soran, a town just east of the highway, meant regime forces had now regained most of the territory that rebels had seized in their major offensive last month in Hama province.
Soran is the army's northern gateway to the city of Hama, the provincial capital, and opposition control of it threatened the city.
The army has its eyes now set on the town of Morek, the next town after Soran going north on the highway crucial to control of western Syria
