A Syrian photographer working for the German press agency DPA was tragically killed in an airstrike in the Hama countryside. The photographer was accompanying and reporting on the advance of a rebel alliance in the region.
The incident occurred near the town of Morek, approximately 17 miles north of Hama, where government forces are engaged in fierce fighting with rebel opposition groups. The northern countryside of Hama has been a hotspot of conflict, especially following the recent capture of Aleppo by rebel forces.
The Syrian defense ministry confirmed that airstrikes were being carried out by warplanes from both Syria and Russia, which supports the Assad regime. The photographer was waiting at a bridge with other journalists when their position was bombed, resulting in his untimely death.
The rebel coalition, including groups like Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) and the Syrian National Army, has been making strategic advances in the region. The commander of HTS claimed to have surrounded the city of Muhradah from three directions, emphasizing their commitment to protecting civilians in the area.
Hama, a key city in the conflict, holds significance due to its strategic location close to Syria's Mediterranean coast. The rebel coalition's efforts to capture Hama have intensified, prompting responses from the Assad regime.
In response to the escalating tensions, President Assad issued a decree increasing the fixed salary of government military personnel by 50%. The situation in Hama remains volatile as both government forces and rebel groups continue their operations in the region.
