Hama: Fierce clashes erupted around the outskirts of Hama in west-central Syria as armed anti-regime groups clashed with regime forces in their bid to advance into the city, sources said. Anti-regime groups, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), have been engaged in renewed fighting with regime forces since Nov. 27. The fighting has centered around the city's eastern outskirts, including the Mezarib and Arbain neighborhoods. Meanwhile, Russian warplanes supporting Bashar al-Assad's regime carried out airstrikes in the contested areas to halt the opposition's progress. According to Anadolu Agency, tensions across northern Syria have been escalating since late last month. On Nov. 30, anti-regime groups captured much of central Aleppo following a rapid advance from its western countryside. The groups also seized the town of Khan Shaykhun, gaining near-total control of Idlib province. The opposition Syrian National Army, meanwhile, launched Operation Dawn of Freedom against the PKK/YPG terrorist group on Dec. 1, li berating the town center of Tel Rifaat.