Hama falls to rebels/ Syrian insurgency Hama capture/ Bashar Assad setbacks/ HTS Syrian offensive/ Homs rebel target/ Aleppo insurgent takeover/ Syrian conflict updates/ Newslooks/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Syrian insurgents captured the key city of Hama on Thursday, marking a significant blow to President Bashar Assad’s government. The victory follows the insurgents’ takeover of Aleppo and signals a renewed offensive targeting Homs and possibly Damascus.
Hama Falls to Syrian Insurgents: Quick Looks
- Major Victory: Insurgents capture Hama after intense clashes with Syrian forces.
- Strategic Target: Hama links central Syria to Damascus and coastal strongholds.
- Next Objective: Rebels aim to take Homs, 40 km south of Hama.
- Rebel Leadership: HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani declares “mercy and compassion” after Hama’s fall.
- Government Response: Assad’s forces withdraw, citing civilian safety concerns.
Syrian Insurgents Capture Hama City, Deal Blow to Assad
Deep Look
Syrian insurgents captured the central city of Hama on Thursday, marking another major setback for President Bashar Assad’s regime. The city’s fall, after days of intense fighting, follows the insurgents’ recent capture of Aleppo, Syria’s largest city.
The offensive is part of a renewed campaign led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and Turkish-backed Syrian militias, which has reignited a conflict that had been largely at a stalemate in recent years.
Key Events in Hama’s Capture
Insurgents broke through government defenses on Hama’s outskirts after three days of fierce clashes. The Syrian army confirmed its withdrawal, stating it was redeploying outside the city to protect civilian lives. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that rebel forces now control key locations, including the city’s police command, airbase, and central prison, where hundreds of detainees were freed.
HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani appeared in a video message celebrating the victory, describing it as “a conquering that is not vengeful, but one of mercy and compassion.”
Strategic Importance of Hama
Hama’s capture represents a critical loss for Assad. The city is a major transportation hub, connecting northern, southern, and coastal regions of Syria. Its fall brings insurgents closer to Homs, a gateway to Damascus and the coastal province of Latakia, both strongholds of Assad’s power base.
“If Hama falls, it means the beginning of the regime’s collapse,” said Rami Abdurrahman, chief of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
Hama also holds symbolic significance due to the 1982 massacre, when Hafez Assad, Bashar Assad’s father, crushed a Muslim Brotherhood uprising, killing thousands.
Rebel Momentum and Government Challenges
The insurgents’ offensive began on November 27 with the surprise capture of Aleppo, an ancient business hub. This marked the first opposition control of Aleppo since 2016, when Russian airstrikes helped Assad reclaim the city.
The renewed insurgency has displaced tens of thousands of people, with many fleeing to safer areas. Assad’s ability to respond is hampered by the preoccupations of his main allies, Russia and Iran, both of which are engaged in their own conflicts.
The insurgents’ advance comes as the regime faces widespread criticism for its handling of the war, as well as the ongoing economic collapse in Syria.
International and Regional Implications
The fall of Hama could escalate tensions further as the rebels push toward Damascus. Rebel forces indicated their next target is Homs, just 40 kilometers south of Hama, signaling their intention to challenge Assad’s seat of power directly.
Turkey’s backing of Syrian militias adds a regional dimension to the conflict, as Ankara seeks to expand its influence in Syria while limiting Kurdish power along its border.
What’s Next for Assad?
While Assad retains control of Damascus and Latakia, his ability to recover from recent losses remains uncertain. The regime’s reliance on Russia and Iran for military and financial support highlights its vulnerability.
Rebel leaders have vowed to continue their campaign, leveraging their momentum to gain territory and weaken Assad’s regime.
