The Syrian army has pulled back from the city of Hama after rebels managed to break through its defenses. This is a significant setback for President Bashar Assad. The army reported that they moved their troops outside the city to keep civilians safe. Hama, which is Syria’s fourth-largest city, is one of the few cities that still remained fully under government control during the ongoing conflict that started in March 2011 after a popular uprising.
Rebels, including the group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army, have been pushing an offensive to take control of more territory. Recently, they also captured much of Aleppo, the largest city in Syria, which marked a major win for Assad’s opponents. Fighting in Hama had been ongoing for three days before the rebels announced they had entered the city early Thursday.
The Syrian army admitted that several soldiers were killed during the fighting and blamed the rebels for using suicide attacks to breach their defenses. If the rebels fully take over Hama, it could signal a serious decline in Assad’s power. The next target for the insurgents may likely be Homs, the third-largest city in Syria, which is located about 40 kilometers south of Hama.
Hama is important because it connects Syria’s center with its north, east, and west. It is also close to the coastal region of Latakia, where Assad has strong support. The city is remembered for a tragic event in 1982 when thousands were killed by security forces to destroy a rebel uprising.
With tensions escalating once again in Syria’s long civil war, many people have had to flee their homes since the renewed violence began. Rebel commanders have claimed that their forces have entered Hama and are moving towards the center.
Leave a Reply