On November 27, clashes began between the Assad regime forces and opposition armed groups in the western countryside of Aleppo province in northern Syria; on November 27-28, opposition armed groups rapidly advanced from the western countryside of Aleppo towards the center, capturing a large part of the city. The armed groups took control of Khan Shaykhun, establishing dominance throughout Idlib; it has been reported that the opposition is advancing towards Hama. 8 TOWNS CHANGED HANDSThe armed groups, which regained a large part of Aleppo city center and all of Idlib province from regime forces, also took control of the settlements of Celime, Elzeka, Beridec, Cübbeyin, Tel Meleh, Kırkat, Muğayyir, and Mabtan in regime-controlled Hama, located in the south of Idlib. On November 30, the groups had taken control of the settlements of Taybetul Imam, Keferzeyte, Keferenbude, Hilfeye, Madik Castle, Latamine, Soran, Kirnez, Maardis, Hammaiyet, and Termele in northern Hama, where they had gained superiority over regime forces. IRAN-BACKED GROUPS IN THE CROSSHAIRSAdditionally, opposition groups targeted a location near Hama city center where Iran-backed groups were stationed. THE BALANCE OF POWER HAS SHIFTEDWith the clashes that began on November 27, the areas of control in Syria have been turned upside down. The current situation is as follows:
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