Syrian forces battle insurgents north of strategic city of Hama

Displaced women who fled the Aleppo countryside sit with their children in Tabqa, Syria, Dec. 4, 2024. Colleagues and friends mourn over the body of Syrian photographer Anas Alkharboutli, 32, in Idlib, Syria, on Dec. 4, 2024. Alkharboutli, who worked for the German news agency dpa, was killed in an airstrike near the city of Hama, the agency said.

Syria said Wednesday its counteroffensive has pushed back insurgents attempting to advance to the strategic central city of Hama, while the insurgency says it captured more Syrian troops and Iran-backed militants in fierce battles.