Syrian government forces launched overnight counter attacks on rebel troops in and around the city of Hama, according to reports.

A convoy of pro-Assad troops, armoured vehicles and tanks was filmed at the northern edge of the city hours after rebel troops were seen swarming into the area.

Rebels moved on Hama after taking Aleppo in a lightning offensive. Hama sits on the main road between Aleppo and Damascus. 

Observers said that government forces had also driven rebel troops out of the towns of Morek and Qalaat Al-Madiq, both north of Hama.

It comes after Syrian president Bashar al-Assad on Saturday vowed to defend Syria “against terrorists and their supporters”.

He added that government troops would be able to defeat the rebels no matter how much their attacks intensified.