DAMASCUS, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- The Syrian army said it repelled a major offensive by rebel factions in the northern countryside of west-central Hama province on Monday, according to state TV.

Syrian state TV reported that government forces retook the towns of Karnaz, Tal Melh, al-Jalama, al-Jabin, Hailin, and Sheikh Hadid following intense clashes with what it called "armed terrorist organizations."

The army's operation thwarted the attack and reestablished control over key areas that had briefly fallen into rebel hands, according to the TV.

Meanwhile, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based war monitor, said rebel factions under the banner of "Deterring the Aggression" launched rocket attacks on neighborhoods in the city of Hama for the first time. The shelling hit the al-Baath neighborhood, killing six civilians and injuring others, the Observatory reported.

Syrian state TV also reported that air defenses in Hama confronted drones flying over the city, though no further details were provided.

On Wednesday, rebel groups led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham launched a major offensive in the western countryside of Aleppo province. By Sunday, they had seized "large parts" of Aleppo city and were advancing southward toward Hama.

In response, the Syrian army announced intensified operations in Aleppo and Idlib provinces, claiming to have eliminated over 400 militants in the past 24 hours with Russian support. Enditem

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