BEIRUT: Syrian regime forces backed by Russian airstrikes advanced in the center of the country Monday, sparking the fiercest clashes with rebels since Moscow’s air campaign began, a monitor said.

Syrian state television said regime forces had captured the village of Kafr Nabuda in Hama province, where they are pressing an operation on both sides of the strategic Damascus-Aleppo highway.

However, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitor said clashes were ongoing after regime forces entered the village.

“Regime forces captured the southern district of Kafr Nabuda backed by more than 20 Russian air strikes,” Observatory director Rami Abdel Rahman said.

“The clashes are the fiercest since the Russian air campaign began on Sept. 30.”