Syria: Govt. forces capture Qalaat al-Madiq as offensive continues in Hama - reports

Syrian government forces reportedly gained control of the town of Qalaat al-Madiq in the Hama Governorate on Thursday, as they push their way into the country’s northwest. Two nearby villages of Tal Hawash and al-Karkat were also reportedly captured. Footage filmed on Thursday shows damaged buildings in Qalaat al-Madiq in the aftermath of heavy fighting between the Syrian government force and militants. Qalaat al-Madiq was reportedly the nearest militant-held town to the Russian Khmeimim Air Base in Latak