Syrian government forces are pressuring Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (formerly Jabhat al-Nusra, the Syrian branch of al-Qaeda) in the northeastern countryside of Hama city.
The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and the National Defense Forces (NDF) have already liberated a number of villages east of the road heading to Abu Duhur Military Airbase from the southern direction. The ongoing advance has allowed the SAA and the NDF to boost a buffer zone along the Ithriyah-Khanaser-Aleppo highway, which is one of the key road used by government forces in central Syria.
If the SAA and the NDF are able to reach the road to Abu Duhur Military Airbase or event to take control of the airbase, this will be a significant blow to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and to undermine tha capabilities of the terrorist group to threaten the government supply line.
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