Information
Syrian government forces are locked in intense battles with Islamist rebels, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), for control of the strategic city of Hama. The offensive follows the rebels’ capture of Aleppo, marking a major shift in the ongoing civil war. Hama’s location makes it a critical connection point between Aleppo and Damascus, and its symbolic significance as a hub of the 2011 protests against President Bashar al-Assad adds to the stakes. The rebels’ rapid advance, reaching the gates of Hama by Tuesday, underscores their growing momentum and challenges Assad’s grip on power, particularly as the province surrounding Hama is a stronghold of his Alawite base.
Recent developments, including reports of renewed Russian airstrikes supporting Assad, highlight the fragility of the Syrian president’s hold on the country. Experts suggest that Assad’s control has been overstated, as the recent fighting has resulted in hundreds of deaths, primarily among combatants, and forced tens of thousands of civilians to flee. The clashes reveal the deepening chaos in Syria, with the government struggling to maintain authority against well-organized rebel forces, whose advance could cut off Assad from his crucial support networks in the Alawite community.
Source: AP, AFP
So what
So far, the rebels have had an easy push with limited defence operations by government forces. It is highly likely that this was due to the element of surprise, compounded by their external support from Iran being focused on Lebanon. However, it is possible this could change as the battle reaches Hama; while the rebels still have momentum, the government forces have had some time to prepare defences, and Shia Militia Groups have also reinforced them and Hezbollah units. This battle is going to be very telling for how much strength Iran and Russia still have in the region and could be telling of how other situations might play out.
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