2d LD: Syrian army starts ground operation under Russian air cover

The Syrian army started Wednesday a ground operation against rebel-held areas in the countryside of the central province of Hama under Russian and Syria air force cover, a military source told Xinhua.

The operation aims primarily at targeting jihadi groups in the northern countryside of Hama, more specifically in towns of Latamenh and Kafr Zaita. Those areas have fallen to rebels of Jaish al-Fateh, or the Conqure Army, which is an alliance of several jihadi groups, mainly the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front, said the source on condition of anonymity.

The army hopes to fully secure the road between Hama and the central province of Homs under Russian airstrikes against the rebels.

The Hamah battle marks the first instance where the Syrian military ground forces have carried out a broad offensive under the direct Russian air support.

Meanwhile, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based watchdog group with wide contact in Syria, reported "heavy Russian airstrikes" on Hama countryside coupled with intense battles on ground and rocket firing.

The Wednesday clashes in northern Hama between the Syrian army backed by the Russian airstrikes and several jihadi groups are the "most violent" occurred in that specific area in months, said the Observatory.

It added that the Syrian troops unleashed the offensive from its positions in the town of Mork toward the towns of Sayad and Latmin in the northern countryside of Hama and toward the town of Khan Shaikhun in the northern province of Idlib, where the Jaish al-Fateh rebels are in control.

The army also unleashed a simultaneous offensive in the eastern and western countryside of Hama, the report said, adding that the ground battles are taking place under "heavy" Russian air force cover.

The Observatory said two Russian helicopters were seen flying on low altitude and landing in the town of Mork.

The military source told Xinhua that the Russian air campaign, which started last Wednesday, is targeting all areas where militant groups are located, particularly positions of the Islamic State (IS) group.

He said the Russian airstrikes have achieved "direct results," which is demonstrated by the "huge losses" the rebels have suffered in recent days.

"We are very optimistic that this coalition (Russian, Syrian) is a serious step toward eradicating terrorism from its roots," he said. Endit