Syrian rebels, led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), have seized control of Hama, a key city in western-central Syria, in a shocking advance that has delivered a major setback to President Bashar al-Assad’s regime. The loss of Hama marks the second major city to fall in a week, following the rebels’ capture of Aleppo, and signals a dramatic escalation in Syria’s long-standing civil war.
The Syrian Defense Ministry confirmed the withdrawal of government forces from Hama on Thursday, stating that troops repositioned outside the city to avoid “urban combat” and protect civilians. However, analysts view this retreat as a humiliating defeat for Assad’s forces and a critical turning point in the conflict.
A Strategic and Symbolic Victory
Hama, located at a key crossroads linking Damascus and Aleppo, serves as a vital logistical hub for regime-controlled territory. Its capture by rebel forces threatens to fracture Assad’s control over Syria, isolating his strongholds and jeopardizing critical supply lines.
“This is a huge humiliation for Assad,” said Samuel Ramani, an expert at the Royal United Services Institute. “Hama is not just a logistical asset but a symbol of the regime’s power. Its fall sends a clear message that Assad’s grip on the country is weakening.”
Hama also carries deep historical weight. The city was the site of the 1982 massacre, in which Assad’s father, Hafez al-Assad, brutally crushed an uprising, killing tens of thousands. For HTS leader Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, taking Hama is “cleansing a 40-year-old wound,” as he declared in a fiery statement.
Rebel Advances and Freed Prisoners
HTS forces wasted no time solidifying their victory. Fighters stormed the city’s central prison, freeing hundreds of detainees, many of whom were political prisoners. Videos shared on social media showed jubilant fighters celebrating, with one exclaiming, “We are liberating Hama!”
The group has now set its sights on Homs, just 30 miles to the south, signaling that their momentum is far from over. “Our heroic people in Homs, your time has come,” an HTS spokesperson declared, raising concerns that the rebels may attempt to push further toward Damascus.
Assad’s Regime on the Defensive
The Assad regime’s forces, historically bolstered by Russia and Iran, were unable to hold their ground despite heavy aerial bombardments. Analysts attribute this vulnerability to Moscow’s reduced military presence in Syria, as Russian resources are increasingly tied up in Ukraine.
Although the loss of Hama is a devastating blow, experts caution against assuming the collapse of Assad’s regime. “It doesn’t mean that Damascus is going to fall,” Ramani explained. “But it does mean Assad’s ability to restore authoritarian stability has been seriously undermined.”
Renewed Conflict on the Horizon
The fall of Hama has reignited Syria’s civil war, which had seen reduced intensity in recent years. With rebels gaining momentum and Assad’s forces on the defensive, the conflict could escalate further, leaving civilians caught in the crossfire.
As HTS advances, the world watches nervously, bracing for what could be a prolonged and bloody new chapter in Syria’s turbulent history.