Syria sends in reinforcements

BEIRUT, Dec 01 (AP/BBC/AFP): The Syrian military rushed in reinforcements Sunday to push back insurgents from advancing farther into the northern Hama countryside after they seized Aleppo and surrounding strategic locations in an adjacent province in a surprise offensive.

The insurgents led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham took over most of Aleppo on Saturday and claimed to have entered the city of Hama. There was no independent confirmation of their claim.

Rebel commander Col. Hassan Abdulghani said separately the insurgents also took control of Sheikh Najjar, also known as the Aleppo Industrial City, northeast of the city, Aleppo's military academy and the field artillery college to the southwest.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi travels to Syrian capital Damascus later Sunday. He told reporters that Tehran will back the Syrian government and army.

Russia carries out series of air strikes

as rebels continue to push south

Russia has carried out "a series of air strikes" in Syria as rebel forces are continuing to push south, the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) says.

This latest offensive marks the most significant fighting in Syria in recent years. Rural parts of Idlib and Hama were hit, regions where the group leading the rebel offensive "has recently taken control", SOHR says.

More than 370 people have been killed - including at least 20 civilians - since the offensive began on Wednesday.

Iran 'firmly supports' Syria

after rebel attacks

Iran's top diplomat Abbas Araghchi said Sunday he will leave Tehran for Damascus to deliver a message of support for Syria's government and armed forces, state media said, after a lighting advance by rebels.

"I am going to Damascus to convey the message of the Islamic Republic to the Syrian government," Araghchi said, emphasising Tehran will "firmly support the Syrian government and army," the IRNA state news agency reported.