MOSCOW. May 27 (Interfax) - Ceasefire breached by illegal armed groups continue in the Idlib de-escalation zone, the head of the Russian center for reconciliation of the opposing sides in Syria, Maj. Gen. Viktor Kupchishin, said at a press briefing.
The Syrian military repelled an attack by some 200 militants in the province Hama, destroying over 50 terrorists and armored vehicles, he said.
"Militants from the terrorist group Hayat Tahrir ash-Sham (previously Jabhat al-Nusra) (banned in Russia) and its allied units attacked the positions of the government forces on the territory of the Idlib de-escalation zone near the populated areas of al-Hairat and Mgair in the northern part of the province Hama," he said.
Some 200 militants, who used two tanks, a combat infantry vehicle, 13 all-terrain vehicles carrying large-caliber guns were involved in the offensive on the Syrian government troops' positions. After the government troops returned fire, the militants were dispersed and retreated.
During their forced defensive, the government forces destroyed a tank, a combat infantry vehicle, five all-terrain vehicles carrying large-caliber guns and over 50 militants," Kupchishin said.
The R Russian center for reconciliation calls on the commanders of illegal armed groups to stop military provocations and begin peaceful settlement of the situation in the areas they control," Kupchishin said.