Syrian government forces, with the support of their allies, forced terrorists out of the Khalfai settlement in the north of Hama province, which was the largest stronghold of the internationally-condemned terrorist group Jebhat Fatah ash-Sham, a well-informed on-site source told RIA Novosti.
"The Syrian army today has driven terrorists out from the settlements of Khalphaya, Az-Zuvar, Zalina and Btash in the north of Hama province," the source said.
The source added that government troops are forging ahead in Latakia and Idlib provinces, forcing the terrorist groups to retreat.
The engineering brigades of the Syrian army have already begun examining the liberated territories in order to identify and eliminate explosive devices.
As the Russian Defense Ministry reported previously, the number of inhabited areas which have been liberated by the Syrian troops from ISIS [Daesh] armed formations since January 1 has reached 228.
The number of armed formations which had promised to observe the ceasefire regime in accordance with the Reconciliation Agreement dated February 27, 2016, remained 143.
The nationwide Syrian ceasefire regime was introduced on December 30, 2016, with Russia and Turkey as its guarantors. The UN Security Council passed a resolution in December supporting the effort. The ceasefire in Syria excludes terrorists operating in the country.
