Rebel Offensive in Syria: Hama Falls to Insurgents
In a significant turn of events in the Syrian civil war, the city of Hama has fallen to a coalition of rebels and jihadists, led by the extremist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). The offensive, which began on November 27, has seen the insurgents make rapid advances, capturing key locations including Aleppo and now Hama, as the regime of Bashar al-Assad appears increasingly weakened. The Syrian army has acknowledged losing control of Hama, a strategic city that connects to Homs and the capital, Damascus, which are now the only major cities still under government control.
Abou Mohammed al-Joulani, the leader of HTS, spoke to CNN, projecting confidence and a modern image despite being one of the most wanted jihadists globally, with a $10 million bounty on his head. He described the Assad regime as 'dead' and emphasized a message of no revenge following the capture of Hama, a city historically significant for its role in the 1982 Muslim Brotherhood uprising, which was violently suppressed by the Assad regime. Al-Joulani stated, 'I ask God Almighty that this be a conquest without revenge,' as his forces entered Hama to 'close the wound that opened 40 years ago.'
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that fierce street fighting is ongoing, with rebels entering several districts of Hama and liberating hundreds of prisoners from the central prison. The Syrian army has reportedly redeployed outside the city, facing fierce resistance as they attempt to halt the insurgents' advance.
Humanitarian Crisis and International Reactions
The recent escalation in violence has resulted in a humanitarian crisis, with over 115,000 people displaced in just a week of fighting. The UK-based SOHR has reported more than 727 deaths, including 111 civilians, raising alarms from organizations like Human Rights Watch regarding potential human rights violations amid the chaos. The ongoing conflict has drawn international attention, with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken warning of a potential resurgence of the Islamic State group in the region.
As the situation unfolds, Russia and Iran, key allies of the Assad regime, are reportedly in discussions to stabilize the situation, while Turkey continues to support the rebel factions. Analysts suggest that while the opposition forces are making significant gains, they may encounter strong resistance in central Syria, where loyalist forces are expected to be more motivated and entrenched. The conflict, which has already claimed half a million lives since its inception in 2011, continues to evolve, with the potential for further violence and instability in the region.
