On July 31, the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and its allies liberated the village of Wadi Hasmein in northern Hama from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (formerly Jabhat al-Nusra) and other militant groups.
Government troops also pushed further in the northern direction aiming to capture al-Zakah, but they were not able to enter the town. Nonetheless, according to pro-government sources, SAA units seized farmlands to the south of al-Zakah. Clashes are now ongoing there.
On July 30, the SAA advanced on the town of Kbanah in northern Lattakia, but this advance was repelled by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and the Turkistan Islamic Party. Militants had repelled around 5 attempts to capture this town over the last few months.
So, most likely, the SAA will continue focusing its efforts on northern Hama where it seems to be capable of achieving more progress.



