Syrian army announces exit from key city

The central city of Hama has been surrounded by jihadist forces

The Syrian army has announced its withdrawal from the central city of Hama after fierce fighting with Islamist militants.

In a statement issued on Facebook, the General Command of the Army and Armed Forces said that over the past few days, the nation’s troops have “fought fierce battles” to repel and thwart the “violent and successive” attacks launched by the jihadists.

However, the intensification of the fighting and the rising death toll have prompted the army to redeploy and reposition its units, the statement read.

The decision was made in order “to preserve the lives of civilians” and not to involve them in battles, it stressed.

Damascus also said that the militants suffered “heavy losses” in their ranks during the fight.

The army confirmed that it “will continue to carry out its national duty in reclaiming the areas entered by terrorist organizations.”

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