Syrian forces battled rebels outside the government-controlled city of Hama, with the opposition fighters seeking to capture a strategic location that has been a focal point of past revolts. The rebels, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, have rapidly expanded their territory in northwestern Syria, putting pressure on President Bashar al-Assad’s embattled regime.
The government has mobilized its forces to push back the rebel advance, but allies that Mr. Assad has long relied on for support are now distracted and weakened. Russia is busy fighting a war in Ukraine, while Iran and Hezbollah are focused on a regional conflict with Israel. Taking advantage of this distraction, anti-Assad forces have been expanding their offensive, fueling clashes elsewhere in the country.
Hama’s history would make it a substantial and symbolic prize for the rebels. The city was the site of a massacre in 1982 when government forces under Mr. al-Assad’s father moved to crush an Islamist-led revolt. Capturing Hama could jeopardize Iran’s supply route used to move arms bound for Lebanon.
The conflict has created opportunities for other players, including the Syrian Democratic Forces, who have allied with the United States to battle the Islamic State. However, clashes between Kurdish forces and Turkish-backed rebel factions are also ongoing in northern Aleppo Province.
The US continues to prioritize combating the Islamic State, which it sees as a significant security threat. Secretary of State Antony Blinken reiterated this commitment on Wednesday. Russia and the Syrian government, however, consider the rebels a paramount security threat, echoing Mr. al-Assad’s contention that they are terrorists.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/04/world/middleeast/syria-hama-assad-rebels.html