Fri Dec 06 01:43:38 UTC 2024: ## Syrian Rebels Capture Hama in Major Blow to Assad Regime
**BEIRUT, Syria –** Islamist rebels, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), have seized control of Hama, Syria’s fourth-largest city, marking a significant victory in their renewed offensive against President Bashar al-Assad’s forces. The capture comes just days after rebels secured the commercial hub of Aleppo, significantly weakening Assad’s grip on the country.
Following intense overnight clashes and street battles, rebels stormed Hama from multiple directions, ultimately announcing the city’s “liberation” on Thursday. Videos and eyewitness accounts showed jubilant rebels celebrating in the streets, while some residents reportedly set fire to a large poster of Assad.
The Syrian army admitted to losing control of Hama, a strategically crucial city situated between Aleppo and Damascus, but the defense minister insisted the withdrawal was a tactical maneuver. However, Aron Lund of the Century International think tank described the loss as a “massive, massive blow” to the Assad regime, highlighting the failure of government forces to reverse rebel gains.
The swift capture of Hama has sparked a mass exodus of Alawites, a minority sect supporting Assad, with tens of thousands fleeing towards the Mediterranean coast. Fearful residents, anticipating potential reprisals, are expressing grave concerns about the rebels’ advance towards Homs, Syria’s third-largest city.
The renewed conflict, described as the most intense fighting since 2020, has claimed over 826 lives since last week, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The Observatory reports that the fighting around Hama has been particularly fierce, with over 200 killed since Tuesday evening. Assad has responded by ordering a 50% pay raise for his soldiers in an attempt to bolster his forces.
The offensive, which began on November 27th concurrently with a ceasefire in neighboring Lebanon, has raised concerns about potential human rights abuses. Human Rights Watch has warned of the risks civilians face from both rebel and government forces. HTS, with roots in al-Qaeda, has attempted to improve its image, but experts question the extent of its renunciation of hardline jihadism. The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, lamented the escalation as a consequence of past failures in de-escalation efforts. Hezbollah, a key Assad ally, has pledged support to the Syrian government. The escalating violence has reignited concerns about a war seemingly dormant for years.
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