DAMASCUS, Aug. 31 -- At least 50 rebels were killed and over 70 others wounded on Wednesday, when the Syrian army foiled militants' attacks in the central province of Hama, state news agency SANA reported.

The Syrian army was engaged in violent clashes with the rebels in the northern countryside of Hama on Wednesday, said SANA, adding that the rebels foiled several attacks on the towns of Soran and Taibet al-Imam.

The northern countryside of Hama has returned under the spotlight after the rebels carried out repetitive attacks on government positions in that area.

No clear reason why the rebels carry out such attacks, but it's part of their effort to get the army busy with more than one front to reduce the pressure on rebels in other parts of northern Syria.

Recent reports said the rebels in the northern province of Aleppo are reeling under fresh pressure by the Syrian army, which has reportedly closed the routes to the besieged rebel-held areas in the eastern part of Aleppo city.

The northern region in Hama is also close to the northwestern province of Idlib, a key stronghold for the rebels' Jaish al-Fateh, or the Army of Conquest.

SANA said the rebels there unleashed their attacks from areas close to Idlib.