ishtartv.com - almasdarnews.com

By Zen Adra, 02/04/2017

DAMASCUS, SYRIA – Russia’s Military Police troops were reportedly deployed to the Christian city of Mahardah in northern Hama countryside amid increasing threats of a massive attack by jihadi groups in the region.

Maharda, located 25 km to the north of Hama, has come under a swelling risk of being swept by jihadi rebels in nearby villages and towns following the recent battles in northern Hama.

Reports came in that unknown numbers of the Russian Military Police have entered Mahardah, accompanied by snipers who were deployed to the eastern outskirts of the city.

Jihadi groups, led by al-Qaeda-affiliate Hay’at Tagrir al-Sham, launched a powerful offensive nearly two weeks ago, seizing several towns and villages from the government forces.

However, the Syrian Army, backed by heavy Russian and Syrian airstrikes, tipped the balance and recaptured most of the lost points.

Government troops are now attempting to overrun rebels in Halfaya, a town just 2 km to the east of Mahardah which acts as the main threat to the Christian city.