At least 17 militants have been killed in air strikes carried out by Syrian forces in the province of Hama. Thursday's strikes were the third day of counter attacks against the rebels who took over more towns and villages in Hama. They were also reported to have closed in on its main city.

The offensive comes after weeks of heavy Russian and Syrian army bombing of areas controlled by rebels in Hama, as well as southern Idlib. 50 rebels were killed and 70 others wounded in Wednesday's attacks.