By Smartenyclopedia International Desk with Agencies
Hama, Syria — Syrian rebels pressed their advance toward the government-held city of Hama on Tuesday, capturing several villages and intensifying pressure on President Bashar al-Assad’s embattled regime. The offensive follows last week’s surprise seizure of Aleppo, marking a significant escalation in the long-stagnant conflict.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that insurgents had captured villages, including Maar Shahur, just miles north of Hama. Syrian state media confirmed the arrival of reinforcements in the area, as both sides brace for potential urban conflict.
Rebel gains are amplifying the challenges faced by Assad, whose military has relied heavily on support from Russian air power and Iran-backed militias. However, Russia’s focus on its war in Ukraine and recent Israeli strikes targeting Iran-aligned forces have left Assad’s allies stretched thin.
A Resurgent Rebellion
Rebel fighters, emboldened by their victory in Aleppo, are renewing their efforts against Assad’s forces in areas that have remained under government control since the civil war began in 2011. Analysts suggest this revival of opposition forces could be the most significant threat to Assad’s rule in years.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi hinted that Tehran might deploy additional troops to Syria if requested by Damascus. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned the “terrorist aggression” in Syria, calling for a decisive response.
The renewed clashes have drawn regional actors into the fray. Iraqi Prime Minister Shia al-Sudani criticized Israeli airstrikes on Syrian forces, blaming them for emboldening the rebels. His office stated that Iraq would not remain “a mere spectator” as instability spreads along its borders.
Expanding Front Lines
As the battlefront near Hama heats up, a new conflict emerged in northeastern Syria. U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) clashed with government troops along a vital supply route, intensifying Assad’s predicament.
The SDF, a coalition of Kurdish and Arab fighters, claimed control of seven villages previously held by government forces. Syrian state media reported a counterattack by government troops and Iran-backed militias. Both sides have accused each other of exploiting the chaos caused by the rebel advances.
U.S. military forces in the region conducted at least one defensive airstrike overnight, although American officials stated it was unrelated to the rebel offensive.
Regional Ramifications
The resurgence of violence in Syria is reverberating across the Middle East. Israeli strikes have targeted Hezbollah and other Iran-backed militias in recent weeks, reportedly killing senior officers near Damascus on Tuesday. The strikes threaten to further destabilize a region already grappling with conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon.
Turkey, which opposes the Kurdish-led SDF, has also increased its military presence along Syria’s northern border, complicating the situation further.
The crowded battlefield underscores the geopolitical stakes, with Russia, Iran, Turkey, and the U.S. all vying for influence amid renewed hostilities.
A Legacy of Destruction
The Syrian civil war, which began in 2011, has left much of the country in ruins. Assad, backed by Russian airpower and Iranian militias, regained control of most of the country by 2020. However, rebel advances in Aleppo and toward Hama signal that the conflict is far from over.
Airstrikes have intensified in recent days, with Syrian and Russian forces targeting rebel-held areas in Idlib and Aleppo. Rescue workers report significant casualties, including in hospitals, raising humanitarian concerns.
As Assad’s forces attempt to regroup, questions remain about whether his allies can sustain their support amid competing priorities and growing regional instability.
With front lines shifting and alliances being tested, the fate of Hama and the broader Syrian conflict hangs in the balance.