Syrian President Bashar al-Assad pledged to use force to eradicate "terrorism" during a phone call on Sunday with the Acting President of the Republic of Abkhazia, according to the state news agency SANA.

Al-Assad pointed out that "terrorism only understands the language of force, and that is the language which we will break it and eliminate it with, whoever its supporters and sponsors are," SANA reported.

His statements came as Syrian Army units operating in the northern countryside of Hama strengthened their defensive lines with various firepower assets, a Syrian military source confirmed to SANA.

"Our forces operating in the northern countryside of Hama repelled terrorist organizations, preventing them from achieving any breakthroughs," the source said, adding that the Syrian Amry successfully liberated several areas after expelling terrorists, most notably Qal’at al-Madiq and the village of Ma’ardas in Hama.

Syrian state TV also announced that the Syrian Army's confrontations in the past three days with HTS led to the killing of around a thousand militants.

Meanwhile, Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Damascus reported that Syrian and Russian warplanes targeted militant movements in the villages of Hazarin and Rakaya in the southern countryside of Idlib.

Later, he confirmed that the Syrian army regained control of several towns in the northern Hama countryside, reaching the eastern Hama countryside.

Our correspondent noted that the airstrikes targeted positions of the Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) terrorist group near Khan Sheikhoun in southern Idlib and Morek in the northern countryside of Hama, adding that Syrian Army forces recaptured the town of Halfaya in the area.

Moreover, Al Mayadeen's correspondent maintained that the circulated reports that armed groups have taken control of the village of Mahardah and the city of al-Saqlabiyah in the Hama countryside and that they are advancing toward the village of Salamiyah are not true.

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The Syrian army and allied forces also liberated the town of Taybat al-Imam, the village of Khirbet al-Hijama, and Soran in the northern Hama countryside, according to our correspondent, who also indicated that the Syrian Army is fortifying its positions in Hama and its northern regions, maintaining direct frontlines with southern Idlib.

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Assad says Syria to defend territories against terrorists, backers

On Saturday, al-Assad held discussions with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani and Emirati President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, focusing on counterterrorism efforts and regional developments.

In a phone call with al-Assad, al-Sudani emphasized that "the security of Syria and Iraq is interconnected" and reiterated Iraq's readiness to provide full support to Syria in combating terrorism and its organizations.

He further affirmed Iraq's commitment to Syria's stability, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.

The Syrian President also spoke with the UAE's President Al Nahyan, addressing recent developments in Syria and broader regional issues.

Al-Assad stressed in the call that Syria remains committed to defending its stability and territorial integrity against terrorist threats and their supporters.

He asserted that with the backing of allies and friends, Damascus is determined to overcome these challenges and eliminate terrorist groups.

For his part, al Nahyan reaffirmed the UAE's solidarity with Syria, expressing his country's support for Syria's fight against terrorism and efforts to maintain sovereignty, stability, and territorial unity.

Read more: Syria security, stability critical to region, not only Iraq: Iraqi PM