Aleppo, Syria — Syrian regime forces, backed by Russian airstrikes, succeeded in besieging the opposition-held areas in the northern Hama countryside on Aug. 21. This came after taking control over the towns of Taltarei, its hills and Khan Sheikhoun toward which they advanced from the eastern axis, namely from Sukayk town. The regime forces managed to impose a lockdown near Khan Sheikhoun, thus leaving the opposition in Hama countryside with no outlet toward the northern Idlib countryside. The Turkish army’s observation post in Murak town, in the northern Hama countryside, was also besieged.

Turkey has not withdrawn from the observation post despite the regime’s siege on the northern Hama countryside. Spokesman for the Turkish presidency Ibrahim Kalin said in a statement Aug. 21 that “Turkey will neither shut down nor relocate its ninth observation post in Idlib,” in reference to the post in Murak town. He added that all Turkish observation posts will carry on with their missions wherever they are located in Idlib. 

The northern Hama countryside continues to be held by the opposition, although only a small number of fighters are still there. So far, the regime forces have not entered these areas despite the siege.

The regime forces and allies — consisting of Russia-backed and Iran-backed fighters — reached Aug. 18 the outskirts of Khan Sheikhoun city, after taking hold of al-Faqir checkpoint, located on the northwestern edge of the city. The battles that were raging between the regime forces and armed opposition continued with the regime seeking to make additional advances and seizing multiple checkpoints and hills in the vicinity of the city, to make its way forward into the city’s neighborhoods.