Syrian rebels have made significant gains in their fight against President Bashar al-Assad’s government, storming the city of Hama and pushing closer to the capital Damascus. The swift advance has caught both the government and international allies off guard, adding a new layer of unpredictability to a 13-year-old conflict.
The rebels, led by Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, claimed victory in Hama, one of Syria’s largest cities, after government forces withdrew. The city is synonymous with a notorious massacre that took place in 1982, and its fall marks a significant milestone for the opposition.
Analysts attribute the rebels’ surprise success to the cumulative attrition of the war on al-Assad’s forces and the diversion of foreign allies who have intervened heavily on his behalf. Russia, Iran, and Lebanon’s Hezbollah militant group are now preoccupied with their own crises, allowing the rebels to gain momentum.
The rebels behind the offensive are a combination of forces led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which has been preparing for this moment for some time. They have accrued resources from trade and economic activity in the region, which they have invested responsibly.
While the rebel advance remains far from Damascus, its speed has unnerved some international allies. The Chinese embassy in Damascus issued a statement warning of deteriorating security and advising citizens to leave as soon as possible.
The situation on the ground is fluid, with both sides suffering heavy casualties. However, the rebels’ progress marks a significant shift in the conflict’s trajectory, and it remains to be seen how this will impact the future of Syria’s civil war.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/05/world/middleeast/syria-rebel-offensive-hama.html