Syrian rebels have achieved a significant victory by driving government forces out of Hama, a major city that had been under the control of President Bashar al-Assad's regime for over a decade during the country's civil war. The Syrian military confirmed its withdrawal from Hama after rebels, led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), successfully penetrated several parts of the city.
The rebels, in their week-long offensive, have now captured both Aleppo and Hama, further destabilizing Assad's grip on the nation. The strategic importance of Hama lies in its location as a key crossroads in western-central Syria, providing crucial supply lines between the capital Damascus and Aleppo.
HTS leader Abu Mohammad Al Jolani stated that the capture of Hama was aimed at 'cleansing a 40-year-old wound,' referring to the city's historical significance as the site of a brutal massacre in 1982 ordered by President Hafez al-Assad. The rebels' swift progress has surprised many, with videos showing their jubilation upon entering Hama.
The offensive has dealt a severe blow to Assad and his allies in Iran and Russia, reigniting a civil war that had seen a period of relative calm. The conflict, which began in 2011 following government crackdowns on pro-democracy protests, has claimed the lives of over 300,000 civilians in Syria.
With their sights now set on Homs, the rebels aim to further divide the Syrian regime by capturing another major city south of Hama. If successful, this move would effectively split the Assad government into two isolated pockets, posing a significant challenge to its authority.
Despite efforts by Jolani to distance HTS from extremist groups like al Qaeda and ISIS, the United States designated the organization as a Foreign Terrorist Organization in 2018. The rebels' rapid advance underscores the evolving dynamics of the Syrian conflict and the complex geopolitical interests at play in the region.
