Syrian rebels capture Hama marking major setback for Assad
Syrian rebels have announced the capture of Hama, their second major victory in recent weeks after government forces withdrew from the city. The Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) played a key role in the offensive, with its leader Abu Mohammed al-Jawlani declaring “victory” and promising “no revenge”.
Hama, a city of one million located 110km (70 miles) south of Aleppo, fell to rebels following intense battles. HTS fighters stormed Hama’s central prison, releasing inmates as the military redeployed its forces outside the city. This marks another major loss for President Bashar al-Assad, as Aleppo had been captured by rebels just last week in a surprise offensive from their northwestern stronghold.
In a bold statement, rebel commanders signalled their next target: Homs, a key city further south on the highway leading to Damascus.
Assad has long relied on Russia and Iran to maintain control, but with both allies distracted by their own challenges, his ability to counter the rebel advance remains uncertain. The recent gains have raised questions about the government’s capacity to defend its territory amid dwindling external support.
