Syrian rebel forces, led by the Islamist militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), have announced the capture of Hama after government troops withdrew following intense clashes.
HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Jawlani declared “victory” in the city, which is home to one million people, and promised “no acts of revenge.” Rebel forces reportedly took control of a prison, freeing inmates, while the Syrian military stated it had redeployed its forces to prevent urban combat and protect civilians.
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Hama’s fall marks a significant shift in the conflict, coming just days after the rebels seized Aleppo in a surprise offensive launched from their stronghold in the northwest. The highway connecting Aleppo to Damascus is now at risk, with rebel commanders warning residents of Homs, the next major city south, that “your time has come.”
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reports that over 720 people, including 111 civilians, have died in the eight days since the rebel offensive began. This escalation adds to the devastating toll of Syria’s civil war, which has claimed over half a million lives since 2011.
The United Nations has expressed grave concern over the worsening conflict, warning of further division and destruction in the war-torn country. President Bashar al-Assad has vowed to “crush” the rebellion, accusing Western powers of attempting to reshape the region’s borders.
Key Assad allies Russia and Iran have ramped up support. Russian warplanes have launched intensified strikes on rebel-held areas, and Iran-backed militias have bolstered government defences. Iran has also signalled its readiness to deploy additional forces if requested.
Turkey, which backs the Syrian opposition, has denied involvement in HTS-led operations. However, Turkish-backed factions have launched a parallel offensive against Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in northern Aleppo, capitalizing on government retreats. The SDF is viewed by Ankara as a threat due to its links to Turkey’s Kurdish minority.
Before the rebel offensive, the Assad regime—with support from Russia, Iran, and allied militias—had reclaimed most major cities. Yet vast areas remained beyond its control, particularly in the northwest, where the rebels’ stronghold lies.
The region, home to over four million people, has been dominated by HTS, designated a terrorist organization by the UN, US, and Turkey due to its historical ties to al-Qaeda. It also hosts various allied factions and Turkish forces.
The recent rebel gains mark a significant reversal of fortunes for Assad’s government, threatening to prolong Syria’s 13-year civil war.
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