Rebels kill 16 army troops in Morek near Hama

(Zaman Alwasl)- At least 16 Syrian army troops have been killed in Morek town in the northern countryside of Hama province, field activists said.

Activists said 16 soldiers form Republican Guards, regime’s elite forces, were killed as fierce clashes took place at the gates of Morek town.

Meanwhile, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported violent clashes between regime forces backed by NDF and Hezbollah against Jabhat al-Nusra and many Islamic battalions in the western countryside of Hama and al-Sher area, led to death of 1 Islamic fighter and a colonel in the regular forces.

The Islamic battalions and Nusra Front have targeted Hama military airport and areas in al-Safsafya village with shells, no reports of losses, according to the Observatory.

The Britain-based NGO also confirmed the death of the pilot of the warplane which was shot down by rebels earlier near Hama military airport.

Last Friday, Rebels took control of strategic Arza and Shayha villages in Hama. Activists said controlling the villages may assist rebels to attack Hama’s military airbase, Assad's powerful stronghold.

Rebels’ advance came after long calm in the historic province of Hama which witnessed bloody clashed and memorable protests at the beginning of Syrian uprising in 2011.

More than 171,000 people killed and over 9million forced to flee their homes.