Şevval Tufan
Rebel groups spearheaded by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) took control of the Syrian city of Hama on Thursday, compelling government forces to withdraw in a notable change in the 14-year-long civil war.
The Syrian Ministry of Defence acknowledged the loss of Hama, the fourth largest city in Syria, stating that troops had been ‘redeployed and repositioned outside the city’ to safeguard civilians from urban combat. A senior commander of HTS, Hassan Abdul-Ghani, informed NBC News that the faction entered the city with armored vehicles and freed hundreds of inmates from Hama Central Prison.
Military reinforcements being moved from Idlib to control Hama, Syria, on Wednesday. Ibrahim Hatib / Anadolu via Getty Images
The capture of Hama marks a significant logistical advantage for HTS, which is situated between Aleppo and Damascus. The unexpected seizure of Aleppo by the rebels last week shocked observers and intensified the conflict. Samuel Ramani from the Royal United Services Institute characterized the events as a ‘major humiliation’ for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who has concentrated on international diplomacy and containment strategies elsewhere.
Military experts caution that the insurgents might next set their sights on Homs, a significant city located 30 miles south of Hama. In the meantime, government troops have ramped up airstrikes, utilizing helicopter gunships and barrel bombs, as reported by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
Russia and Iran, longstanding supporters of Assad, continue to back his administration, but the military resources of Moscow have been strained due to its engagement in Ukraine. This situation raises concerns about Assad’s capacity to maintain authority as the rebels gain traction.
“These trends imply that Assad could have difficulty restoring stability, even if Damascus itself remains secure,” Ramani stated.
The takeover of Hama by rebel forces signifies a new phase in the Syrian civil war, with possible implications for the regional power dynamics.
Image: Ibrahim Hatib / Anadolu via Getty Images
