Syrian air defense systems have intercepted and shot down an unmanned aerial vehicles launched by members of the Jabhat Fateh al-Sham Takfiri terrorist group, formerly known as al-Nusra Front, in the country’s western-central province of Hama. RNA - Syria’s official news agency SANA reported on Saturday that Syrian army reconnaissance teams were able to detect the aircraft as it was approaching Hama Military Airport, located some 200 kilometers north of the capital Damascus.
The report added that the drone was armed with rockets containing high explosives, and equipped with a Global Positioning System (GPS) tracker.
The Arabic service of Russia's Sputnik news agency, citing an unnamed Syrian military source, reported late on June 4 that Syrian army units had detected a number of aircraft as they were approaching a helipad of a government military site in Jubb Ramlah village, located about 189 kilometers (118 mi) north of Damascus.
The report added that Syrian forces then used anti-aircraft defense systems and targeted the drones as they were flying in the sky. There were no reports of any casualties.
Syrian state TV reported on May 22 that army forces had shot down a drone loaded with bombs near Hama's airport.
The television network added that the drone had been launched by members of the Jabhat Fateh al-Sham Takfiri terrorist group, formerly known as al-Nusra Front, without providing any further details.
Also on Saturday, Syrian government forces struck the strongholds of foreign-sponsored Takfiri militants positioned in the de-escalation zone of the troubled northwestern province of Idlib.
SANA reported that Syrian troops fired a barrage of artillery rounds and missiles at Jabhat Fateh al-Sham Takfiris’ fortifications in al-Naqeer village, which lies in the Maarrat al-Nu'man district of Idlib province, leaving scores of the extremists killed and injured in the process.
The militants were apparently heading towards Hobait town on board several sport utility vehicles with roof-mounted machine guns.
Elsewhere in Hama province, Syrian army artillery units targeted Jabhat Fateh al-Sham and Jaysh al-Izza (the Army of Glory) terrorists on the outskirts of Jubbayn village in Mahardah district. Many terrorists were killed and their vehicles destroyed as a result.
Syria has been gripped by foreign-backed militancy since March 2011. The Syrian government says the Israeli regime and its Western and regional allies have been aiding Takfiri terrorist groups there.
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