Syrian forces battling insurgents north of strategic city of Hama

Syrian opposition forces had pushed into the outskirts of Hama, a strategically important city (AP)

Syrian officials say a counter-offensive has pushed back insurgents attempting to advance to the strategic central city of Hama, while the insurgency says it has captured more Syrian troops and Iranian-backed militants during fierce battles.

The latest flare-up in Syria’s long civil war comes after forces opposed to Syrian President Bashar Assad captured large parts of the northern city of Aleppo, the country’s largest, as well as towns and villages in southern parts of the north-western Idlib province in recent days.