Rebel forces captured the city of Hama in Syria, forcing government troops to retreat in a development that could have significant implications for the country’s long-running civil war. The Syrian Defense Ministry and a militant group called Hayat Tahrir al-Sham confirmed the insurgents’ successful entry into the city. The rebel forces, led by HTS, used tanks and managed to free hundreds of unjustly imprisoned individuals from Hama Central Prison. Independent verification of the claims was challenging due to limited access for journalists in Syria. Previously, the conflict had slowed down, with established battle lines, but escalated last week when HTS captured Aleppo. The capture of Hama, a major city never before held by rebels, could shift the balance of power in the civil war. The city’s strategic military importance makes it a significant loss for Assad’s regime. The next likely target for the rebels could be the city of Homs. Aerial attacks by Assad’s forces, supported by Russia and Iran, were reported before government troops withdrew from Hama. Overall, the rebels’ success in Hama marks a potentially crucial turning point in the conflict.
Photo credit
www.nbcnews.com
Syria’s rebel army captures one of the largest cities following government forces’ retreat
