DAMASCUS, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- The Syrian army on Friday captured remaining rebel-held areas in the northern countryside of Hama province in central Syria, besieging a Turkish point in that region, according to a monitor group.

For the first time since 2012, the Syrian army captured rebel-held areas in the northern countryside of Hama, besieging the Turkish military point in the town of Morek, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The army captured the key towns of Al-Lataminah and Kafr Zita among other areas in northern Hama, said the Observatory.

A Turkish military point has become besieged in the town of Morek in northern Hama, said the Observatory, speculating that Turkey may ask for a safe exit for the Turkish soldiers in that area.