Syrian government troops have retaken a strategic town from Islamist rebels with the assistance of Russian airstrikes in the central province of Hama, a group that monitors Syrian conflict said.
According to News24, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that regime troops overran the village of Ashtan in north-eastern Hama.
Atshan lies on a road linking Syria's east and west.
The main aim of the regime is to advance into nearby areas, including Tal Skak village, said Rami Abdel-Rahaman, who heads the observatory.
He also said that the area is of strategic importance to government forces because it brings them closer to the town of Khan Sheikoun which is a stronghold of al-Qaeda affiliate al-Nusra Front.
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