Syrian rebels captured the city of Hama on Thursday, marking a significant victory in their rapid advance across northern Syria, dealing a severe blow to President Bashar al-Assad’s regime, Reuters reports.
The Syrian army announced its withdrawal from Hama, citing a desire to avoid urban combat, while rebels declared full control of the city. This victory follows their recent capture of Aleppo last week and hinders Assad from launching a major counteroffensive against Rebel gains. The rebels, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), plan to continue their push south toward Homs, a critical city linking Damascus to the coast.
The fall of Hama highlights a shift in the balance of power, with Assad’s forces weakened by the loss of support from allies, exacerbated by Hezbollah’s recent losses in Lebanon, Russia’s focus on the war in Ukraine.
