Syrian Rebels Capture Hama as Army Withdraws: A Pivotal Shift in the Conflict

The Syrian army has begun withdrawing from Hama, a strategically crucial city, following the rebels’ recent capture of Aleppo. This shift marks another major gain for the opposition amid escalating clashes and heightened resolve to challenge the Assad regime. Hama’s historical significance adds weight to this development, leading to calls for further revolutionary actions in neighboring Homs.

The Syrian army is reportedly retreating from Hama, a city of considerable strategic and symbolic value, ceding control to a newly formed coalition of rebels. This development follows last week’s successful capture of Aleppo, thereby marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict. The Syrian military acknowledged the rebels’ advances amidst intense clashes, stating that terrorist factions managed to penetrate certain areas of Hama. Meanwhile, Abu Mohammad Al Jolani, the commander of Hayat Tahrir Al Sham (HTS), has asserted that their aim is to address a longstanding grievance linked to the city’s historical context of violence against dissenters. In light of this successful operation, rebel leaders have declared their intent to continue their offensive towards Homs, urging locals to rise in opposition to government repression. This resurgence of hostilities represents a pivotal moment in a civil war that had, until recently, appeared to be waning.

The Syrian civil war, which erupted in response to the government’s repression of peaceful protests during the 2011 Arab Spring, has resulted in monumental shifts in power dynamics throughout the region. Over the years, rebel factions have gained and lost territories, often dependent on the military support provided by foreign powers aligned with either the Assad regime or the opposition. Hama has remained a focal point of these conflicts, being a site of early protests and historically a city of deep significance due to past atrocities committed under the Assad regime. The recent seizures of Aleppo and now Hama signal a potential revival of rebel momentum that may alter the civil war’s trajectory.

The Syrian army’s withdrawal from Hama exemplifies a significant shift in the ongoing civil war, as rebel forces achieve strategic victories in key urban centers. The recapture of Hama not only provides symbolic reparation for historical grievances but also poses a renewed threat to the stability of President Assad’s regime. As the situation evolves, the rebels are poised to push their campaign further, potentially reigniting hostilities across central Syria and beyond.

Original Source: www.cnn.com