Syrian opposition fighters have pushed back government forces around Aleppo in a surprise offensive, rapidly expanded the territory under their control in northwestern Syria. On Wednesday, they battled pro-government forces on the outskirts of Hama.

Assad’s favor after a Russian blitzkrieg on Aleppo helped him regain control over the country’s second biggest city.

The rebels have set their sights on an area where President Bashar al-Assad’s government has long maintained strength.

Syrian rebels battled government forces and allied militia on Wednesday in villages north and east of Hama, a major city whose capture would pile pressure on President Bashar al-Assad.

Syrian rebel forces arrived at the gates of the key city of Hama on Tuesday, as their fighting with the military sparked "a large wave of displacement", a war monitor said.The Britain-based Observatory, which has a network of sources in Syria, said Hama was witnessing "a large wave of displacement" due to fighting around the city.

Syrian government forces launched a counterattack against Islamist-led rebels around the key city of Hama on Wednesday after suffering a string of staggering losses, a war monitor said.Hama is strategically located in central Syria and for the army,