By Smartencyclopedia with Agencies

The city of Hama has become the epicenter of fierce battles between Syrian government forces and rebel factions, marking a significant escalation in Syria’s protracted 13-year civil war. Government troops, supported by intense Russian airstrikes and Iran-backed militias, are attempting to push back the rebel offensive led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and allied groups.

Clashes Intensify on Hama’s Outskirts

On Tuesday evening, the Islamist militant group HTS claimed to be “at the gates of Hama.” By Wednesday morning, Syrian state media and the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported that government forces had launched a counter-offensive, recapturing villages near Jabal Zain al-Abadin, a strategic hill northeast of the city.

The rebel factions, however, disputed these claims, insisting they maintained control over all previously seized positions. The Military Operations Division, affiliated with the rebels, accused the government of spreading misinformation to boost troop morale.

Amid the turmoil, Hama’s civilian population is bearing the brunt of the violence. Thousands have been displaced, and the SOHR reported over 600 fatalities, including 107 civilians, since the offensive began last week.

Rebels Seize Momentum After Aleppo Victory

The rebel offensive follows a significant victory in Aleppo, where opposition forces captured the city last week in a surprise attack. Buoyed by their success, HTS and its allies have shifted focus southward to Hama, aiming to further weaken the government’s hold on central Syria.

Turkish-backed factions have simultaneously capitalized on the chaos, launching a separate offensive on Kurdish-controlled areas near Aleppo. This multi-front campaign underscores the fragile balance of power in Syria, where various factions vie for control amid shifting alliances.

Regional and International Dynamics

President Bashar al-Assad has vowed to “crush” the rebel factions, accusing Western nations of orchestrating efforts to destabilize Syria and redraw the region’s borders. Key allies Russia and Iran have intensified their support. Russian warplanes have ramped up strikes on rebel-held areas, while Iran has reinforced defensive lines with additional fighters and pledged further support if necessary.

Turkey, a long-time backer of Syrian opposition forces, has denied direct involvement in the HTS-led offensive but has urged Assad to pursue a political resolution. Meanwhile, Turkey-supported factions continue to exploit the government’s vulnerabilities.

The broader geopolitical landscape has also influenced the dynamics on the ground. Russia’s focus is partially diverted by its ongoing war in Ukraine, and Iran-backed militias, including Hezbollah, are facing pressure from Israeli strikes that have disrupted supply chains and eliminated key commanders.

A Deepening Humanitarian Crisis

The United Nations has expressed alarm over the resurgence of violence. UN Special Envoy Geir Pedersen warned the Security Council on Tuesday of the grave consequences if de-escalation and political dialogue do not resume swiftly.

“Syria is in grave danger of further division, deterioration, and destruction,” Pedersen said, highlighting the risks to millions of civilians already enduring unimaginable hardship.

Hama, home to about one million people, is now on the brink of a humanitarian crisis. Civilians like Wassim, a delivery driver who spoke to AFP, face an agonizing dilemma. “The sounds are terrifying,” Wassim said. “But I’ll stay home because I have nowhere else to flee to.”

The Path Forward

Before the recent escalation, the Syrian government, with support from Russia and Iran, had regained control of major cities. However, large swaths of territory in the northwest remain under rebel control. HTS and its allies dominate this enclave, home to over four million people, many of whom are displaced from government-controlled areas.

The renewed fighting underscores the fragility of past ceasefires, such as the 2020 agreement brokered by Russia and Turkey to halt hostilities in the northwest. As the conflict enters its 14th year, a comprehensive resolution remains elusive, with regional and international powers deeply entangled in Syria’s fate.

For now, the battles around Hama signal a dangerous escalation that could have far-reaching consequences for Syria and the broader Middle East, further entrenching divisions in a country already fractured by war.