On 25 April, rebel forces launched an attack in Hama city, where heavy clashes erupted for the first time in months as rebels tried to relieve pressure on their forces under attack from government troops elsewhere in the country.

[11] Government forces tightened the siege on Halfaya and the town of Aqrab, shutting down communications in the area.

The takeover was reportedly followed with the burning of homes by government troops[14] and the execution of 15 people by pro-government militias, according to the opposition.

[16] On 24 May, government forces raided the town of Ma'arzaf,[17] and two days later captured the village of Rihya.

[18] On 1 June, after heavy fighting, the Syrian Army recaptured the two Alawite villages of Tulaysiyah and Janineh[19][20] and on 2 June they recaptured the Alawite village of Zoghbe, after the withdrawal of rebel forces, according to SOHR.