DAMASCUS, Sept. 10 (Xinhua) -- Rebels in the northern countryside of Hama Province in central Syria fired two Grad missiles on a Syrian air base in the province on Monday, state news agency SANA reported.

The rebels fired the missiles from the rebel-held towns of Latamneh and Kafr Zeita in the northern countryside of Hama, causing damage only.

Meanwhile, the Syrian army targeted the positions of the al-Qaida-linked militants in the northern countryside of Hama and adjacent southern countryside of Idlib Province, the last major rebel stronghold in the country.

The Syrian army has been targeting rebel positions in the northern countryside of Hama and southern Idlib for days, which was seen as a prelude to the anticipated large-scale offensive planned to dislodge the rebels from Idlib.

The London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said many civilians have fled their homes on the frontline areas between Hama and Idlib toward the northern countryside of Idlib.

Earlier in the day, the UN said more than 30,000 have fled their homes in Idlib since the Syrian forces resumed air and ground bombardments in the province last week.