<p>Syrian opposition activists reported</a> a number of rocket and artillery strikes on the northern Hama provincial town of Kafr Zita on May 9. No casualties have been reported thus far, however, a number of residential buildings were completely destroyed</a>.</p><p>Opposition-held areas of the northern Hama province, most notably Kafr Zita and al-Lataminah</a>, have been bombarded on a near-daily basis since the launch of a rebel offensive in northern Hama in March 2017</a>. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said</a> earlier in the month that over 500 airstrikes and barrel bombs have targeted northern Hama in recent weeks.</p><p>While the strikes in northern Hama could constitute a violation of the Russian-backed May 6 de-escalation agreement</a>, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem said on May 9</a> that “There will be no presence by any international forces supervised by the United Nations. The Russian guarantor has clarified that there will be military police and observation centers.”</p><br />
