ALEPPO — Regime forces and their allies took control of the towns of Zakat and Arbaeen in the northern Hama countryside on Aug. 7, after fierce battles against the armed opposition using unprecedented heavy, air and ground weapons.
The regime forces began their offensive in the dark of night after paving the way for their advance by bombarding opposition positions, advancing from two axes starting from their positions in Tell Meleh and al-Jabin.