Syrian rebels stormed into the city of Hama on Thursday as government forces withdrew, marking another significant setback for President Bashar al-Assad.
The swift advance on Hama, confirmed by both rebel and Syrian government sources, follows the rebels' recent expansion of control over Aleppo, a major hub in northern Syria.
This sudden rebel advance has shifted the front lines in Syria’s 13-year civil war for the first time in years, adding a new layer of unpredictability to a conflict that has devastated the country and led to a long-term refugee crisis in neighboring nations.
Analysts attribute the rebels' surprise success to the cumulative attrition of the war on Mr. al-Assad’s forces and the diversion of foreign allies, such as Russia, Iran, and Hezbollah, who have previously intervened on his behalf but are now occupied with their own challenges.
Hezbollah, backed by Iran, is recovering from a conflict with Israel that resulted in significant casualties among its leadership and the displacement of many of its supporters. Meanwhile, Russia, which previously turned the tide of the war in favor of Mr. al-Assad, has shifted its focus to its invasion of Ukraine.
The offensive is led by a coalition of forces, primarily Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which has evolved from an Al Qaeda affiliate but claims to have severed ties with the organization. Additional groups supported by Turkey and operating just south of the Turkish border have also joined the campaign.
On Thursday, the rebels announced their entry into Hama, one of Syria’s largest cities. Rebel commander Lt. Col. Hassan Abdulghany stated on social media that government forces were experiencing "a significant state of confusion," with soldiers and commanders abandoning their posts.
In response, the Syrian military confirmed its withdrawal from the city following the rebels' breach of their defenses.