Syria On Edge: Rebels Clash With Army As Syrian Forces Deny Hama Losses

Syrian rebels launched an offensive on Thursday, claiming progress in their push into Hama, a key city controlled by the government. However, the Syrian army quickly denied these reports, maintaining that rebel forces had not infiltrated any city districts, and defensive lines around Hama’s outskirts remained intact.

Rebel commander Hassan Abdul Ghany posted on social media, asserting that insurgents had advanced along multiple routes toward Hama’s center. The rebels have been making significant strides since capturing Aleppo, Syria’s northern stronghold, just days prior. Following the Aleppo victory, they advanced south, seizing a strategic hill north of Hama and pushing towards the city’s eastern and western flanks.

The fall of Hama would mark a major shift in the ongoing Syrian civil war, which began in 2011 as a rebellion against President Bashar al-Assad. The city’s capture by insurgents would not only disrupt government control over this critical area but also threaten the connection between major cities like Homs and Damascus. Hama’s importance is heightened by its proximity to key minority-majority towns, including Muhrada, home to many Christians, and Salamiya, which has a significant Ismaili Muslim population.

Rebel groups, including the powerful Sunni Islamist faction Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), are making substantial gains in the region. HTS, the former al-Qaeda affiliate, aims to consolidate its influence in Aleppo and expand its control into Hama. Despite pledges from HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani to protect Syria’s religious minorities, many remain fearful of the insurgents’ rule.

While Russia and Iran continue to back Assad’s forces, their influence has waned somewhat, with Russia focused on the war in Ukraine and Hezbollah, Assad’s ally, weakened by losses in Lebanon. In response, Russian airstrikes have intensified over the past week, while Iran-backed militia groups have bolstered government lines. The situation remains volatile, with both sides bracing for a potentially pivotal battle for Hama.