The Syrian army has withdrawn from Hama following the entry of opposition forces into the strategic city. This development, a significant blow to President Bashar al-Assad’s government, comes as the rebels intensified their push southward. The army claimed its decision to redeploy was made “to preserve civilian lives and prevent urban combat.”
Opposition Fighters Make Gains
Hama, a key city connecting Aleppo to Damascus, had been under siege since Tuesday. Opposition commander Hassan Abdul Ghany confirmed the fighters’ entry into the city after heavy clashes overnight. Supported by intense Russian airstrikes, government forces initially resisted but were unable to halt the rebel advance.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that opposition forces surrounded Hama from three sides, particularly targeting the Jabal Zayn al-Abidin area just north of the city. Despite fierce resistance from government troops, the rebels breached Hama’s defenses, marking another major success in their recent offensives.
A Strategic Blow to Damascus
Hama’s capture is pivotal for the opposition. The city lies on the main route from Aleppo to Damascus, and its fall paves the way for a potential rebel advance on Homs, a central hub connecting Syria’s most populated regions.
The city’s fall also threatens two significant nearby towns: Muhrada, home to a large Christian community, and Salamiya, where many Ismaili Muslims reside. Additionally, Hama’s proximity to Latakia—a stronghold of al-Assad’s supporters—adds to its strategic importance.
For much of the war, which began in 2011, Hama remained under government control, serving as a bastion of stability in the region. Losing it now signals a dramatic shift in the conflict and raises concerns for Damascus and its allies, Russia and Iran.
Rapid Rebel Advances
The opposition forces have gained momentum in recent weeks. After capturing Aleppo, Syria’s second-largest city, the rebels turned their focus to Hama, advancing from the northwest. On Tuesday, they seized a strategic hill north of the city, enabling a coordinated attack on its eastern and western flanks.
This rapid progression underscores the revival of a once-dormant uprising. It also highlights the challenges facing the Syrian army despite ongoing support from Russian airstrikes and Iranian-backed militias.
Read: South Korea Blocks Martial Law, Troops Withdraw
Intensified Airstrikes Amid Conflict
In response to the rebel advances, Russian and Syrian air forces have launched heavy airstrikes across opposition-held territories in northern Syria. These intensified attacks, coupled with artillery strikes, targeted rebel positions around Hama, as confirmed by Syrian state media.
Moscow’s increased involvement, despite its focus on the war in Ukraine, signals the significance of Hama’s loss. The fall of such a strategic city would not only weaken the regime’s grip on central Syria but also embolden opposition forces in their push toward Damascus.
Implications of Hama’s Capture
The loss of Hama sends shockwaves through the Assad government and its allies. As the opposition continues to advance, the regime faces mounting pressure to defend critical regions. Meanwhile, the rebels’ gains raise questions about the long-term stability of Assad’s control in the war-torn country.
Hama’s fall marks a turning point in the Syrian conflict, reshaping the battlefield and potentially altering the trajectory of the war.
Follow us on Google News, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook,Whats App, and TikTok for latest updates
