Syrian Civil War/ Syrian Rebel Groups Advance on Hama City

Rebel groups, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, have gained control of 14 towns in Hama's northern countryside, advancing to within 15 kilometers of Hama city. The Syrian Army has reportedly withdrawn from the area, raising questions about future rebel advances. Simultaneously, HTS has taken Aleppo International Airport, complicating the conflict further.

Syrian Civil War/ Syrian Rebel Groups Advance on Hama City
Expressive image/ Syrian rebel groups, specifically Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)

Hama, Syria - Syrian rebel groups, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), have made significant gains in the northern countryside of Hama, advancing to within 15 kilometers of the city center.

Rebel Groups Seize Control of 14 Towns and Cities

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), 14 towns and cities in the northern countryside of Hama have fallen under the control of rebel groups, including HTS, in a matter of hours.

Table: Rebel Groups' Advances in Hama

Location Status
Mork Under rebel control
Latamneh Under rebel control
Hama city Rebel groups within 15 km
Hama countryside Rebel groups in control of 14 towns and cities

Syrian Army Withdraws

The Syrian Army has withdrawn from the area, with reports suggesting that the withdrawal was ordered by the military command. The reasons behind the withdrawal are unclear, with some speculating that it may be a tactical move to regroup and reposition forces.

Quote

"There is a complete and comprehensive withdrawal of the Syrian Army, by order of the military command," said Rami Abdulrahman, director of the SOHR. "The question is, will HTS advance on Hama city or will they stop at this point?"

HTS Seizes Control of Aleppo International Airport

In a separate development, HTS has seized control of Aleppo International Airport, which is the second-largest international airport in Syria after Damascus.

Table: Rebel Groups' Control of Airports

Airport Status
Aleppo International Airport Under HTS control
Damascus International Airport Under government control

Implications of Rebel Groups' Advances

The advances made by rebel groups in Hama and Aleppo provinces have significant implications for the Syrian government and the ongoing civil war. The fall of Aleppo International Airport to HTS is a major blow to the government, which has been trying to maintain control of the country's airspace.

List: Key Players in the Syrian Civil War

  • Syrian government
  • Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)
  • Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR)
  • Syrian Army
  • Rebel groups

Conclusion

The situation in Hama and Aleppo provinces is fluid and rapidly changing, with rebel groups making significant gains in recent days. The Syrian government and its allies will need to regroup and reassess their strategy in order to counter the advances made by HTS and other rebel groups.