Syrian government forces on Monday thwarted an infiltration attempt by radical rebels into the northwestern city of Idlib and wrested back control over a town in the central province of Hama, the state news agency SANA reported, according to Xinhua.

A group of the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front attempted to infiltrate Idlib earlier on Monday, but the attempt was repelled by Syrian troops and pro-government fighters, SANA said, denying media reports that the Nusra Front seized control of the city.

Government forces killed dozens of rebels in the countryside of Idlib after destroying their positions, SANA said.

The Nusra Front’s assault on Idlib was an apparent attempt to ease the pressure on rebel positions in the northern countryside of Hama, where government forces made major advances recently, according to military experts.

On Monday, the Syrian army continued its progress in Hama, capturing the town of Buwaida, SANA said.

In addition, dozens of “terrorists” were killed on Monday in the towns of Kafr Zaita, Sayyad, Mork and Latamneh in Hama countryside, SANA said, citing a military source.

An undisclosed number of rebels were also killed in the countryside of the central province of Homs, the news agency said.

More than three years’ conflict in Syria has killed over 190, 000 people and displaced millions of others.