Syrian Opposition Gains Ground in Hama
The Syrian opposition has made significant advances towards the city of Hama, besieging it from three sides before storming it on December 5, 2024. Asaad Mustafa, a prominent opposition leader and former minister, stated that the fall of Hama was inevitable and predicted that the regime would face even greater challenges ahead. The opposition factions have reportedly entered the Arbaeen neighborhood and reached Hama Central Prison, successfully releasing prisoners and expanding their control within the city.
Implications for the Assad Regime
Mustafa, who has deep ties to Hama, emphasized that the regime's morale is collapsing and that they are experiencing a severe shortage of personnel. He noted that the northern and eastern countrysides of Hama are now under opposition control, with only a few villages remaining loyal to the regime. He believes that the complete takeover of Hama is imminent, with Homs likely to be the next target. The capture of Homs would be a strategic blow to the regime, as it would sever the vital international highway connecting the coastal region and Damascus.
Ongoing Offensive and Future Prospects
The opposition's recent offensive, dubbed the “Battle to Deter Aggression,” has led to unprecedented territorial gains in northwest Syria, including control over most of Aleppo and Idlib province. The spokesperson for the Al-Fath Al-Mubin Operations Room, which comprises several factions, stated that the operation aims to launch preemptive strikes against regime forces threatening opposition-held areas. As the conflict continues to evolve, the opposition's momentum raises questions about the future stability of the Assad regime and the broader implications for the Syrian civil war.
