Syrian army, allies gain ground against rebels north of Hama
BEIRUT -- The Syrian army and allied forces advanced against rebels in western Syria near Hama city on Sunday, building on recent strategic gains in the area, a military source and a monitoring group said.
Government forces captured the town of Halfaya and nearby villages, they said, taking back territory that rebels seized last year from forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad.
"We gained control of Halfaya and several hills in the area," the Syrian military source said. "The army will of course continue its fight."
