Syrian Islamist militants captured the city of Hama on Thursday, marking a significant triumph in their week-long rapid advance across northern Syria.
This breakthrough delivers a critical blow to President Bashar al-Assad and his Russian and Iranian allies.
The capture of Hama represents a strategic victory, as Islamist militants gain control of a central city they had previously failed to seize during the 13-year conflict.
The Syrian army announced its withdrawal from Hama, stating it aimed to “preserve civilian lives and prevent urban combat” following intense clashes.
Rebels celebrated their victory with parades through the city and gunfire, while detainees were freed from Hama’s prison.
Insurgents indicated plans to push further south toward Homs, a pivotal crossroads city linking Damascus to the north and coast.
“Your time has come,” declared a rebel operations room, urging Homs residents to rise up.
Rebel forces, advancing from their northwest enclave, captured Aleppo last week and pushed south.
While battles raged around Hama’s outskirts for days, the city itself fell within hours once rebels entered.
The collapse of Assad’s northern defenses underscores a shift in power following heavy losses suffered by Hezbollah, a critical ally, in its conflict with Israel.
Russia, preoccupied with its war in Ukraine since 2022, and the weakened Hezbollah leadership have diminished Assad’s support.
Hama’s capture complicates any swift counteroffensive by Assad.
A rebel advance on Homs could isolate Damascus from the Alawite coastal region, where Russia maintains naval and air bases.
“If Homs falls, we are talking of a potential change of regime,” said Jihad Yazigi, editor of The Syria Report.
Rebels, led by commander Abu Mohammed al-Golani, emphasized avoiding retaliation for Hama’s 1982 massacre, when Assad’s father brutally suppressed an uprising, killing over 10,000.
Golani stated, “The revolutionaries have begun entering Hama to cleanse that wound that has persisted in Syria for 40 years.”