The recent gains by rebel groups in the cities of Aleppo and Hama in Syria mark a significant turning point in the conflict that has torn the country apart for years. The capture of Aleppo last week was a major blow to President Bashar al-Assad and his allies, Iran and Russia. The advance has strengthened the newly formed rebel coalition, which has also managed to penetrate Hama, a key city strategically located in central Syria.
The Syrian army’s declaration of withdrawal from Hama underscores the intensification of fighting between government forces and rebel groups, marked by the loss of life among army soldiers. This development highlights the fragility of the current situation and the difficulty for the Syrian government to maintain control over parts of the country.
Hama is of particular symbolic importance, given its crucial role as a strategic crossroads linking the capital, Damascus, to Aleppo. The rebels had so far failed to capture the city since the civil war began in 2011, making this advance a major strategic victory for rebel forces.
Moreover, Hama has a painful past, having been the scene of a brutal massacre in 1982, carried out on the orders of President Hafez al-Assad, the father of the current Syrian leader. This dark history adds a tragic dimension to the current situation in the city.
The civil war in Syria began in 2011, when the government violently suppressed an uprising against Bashar al-Assad, setting off an armed conflict that has continued ever since. Hama was an early stronghold of dissent, marking the start of protests during the Arab Spring.
In short, the situation in Syria is evolving unpredictably, and recent developments in Aleppo and Hama could have major repercussions for the ongoing conflict. It is crucial to closely monitor the evolution of the situation and its implications on the regional and international level.
This is a work in progress that will be enriched as developments progress.