The developments in Syria are stormy as the advance of the jihadists continues.
According to ERT, after capturing Aleppo in the north of the country, they are very close to capturing Hama, the fourth largest city, in the west. The rebels managed to surround Hama almost completely last night and announced today that they are entering the city.
Hama is of strategic importance to the government of President Bashar al-Assad, as it lies on the main road connecting Damascus, the country’s capital, which is about 200 kilometers to the south. The jihadists of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group and their rebel allies said they had launched the invasion of the city.
On the contrary, the Syrian army denied the rebels’ claims, stressing that “there is no truth” in their statements.
Meanwhile, heavy fighting raged overnight around Hama and inside the city, with the Syrian army and Iranian-backed paramilitary groups trying to halt the jihadists’ advance. At the same time, the Russian air force is bombing the areas where the rebels are located, resulting in the death of award-winning photojournalist Anas Alharbutli, who worked for the German News Agency (dpa).
Hama has remained under the control of Damascus throughout the Syrian civil war since 2011. Its fall to the rebels will come as a shock to Damascus and its allies Iran and Russia.
The city lies on the road connecting Aleppo to Damascus, and its capture would allow the rebels to advance on Homs, a strategic city that is a crossroads for Syria’s most populous provinces.
In addition, Hama has significant strategic value due to its control of the area around two cities with a strong presence of religious minorities: Muhrada, where Christians live, and Salamiya, home to Ismaili Muslims.
HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani has said he will protect Syria’s religious minorities, but many fear the rebels’ intentions.
Source: ERT
Read also:
France: The day after the collapse of the Barnier government – The possible successors, who will Macron propose
Adonis’ digital NHS is Swiss… cheese – The patient admission system advertised by the Minister of Health is full of holes
Macron “gambled” and lost – France’s political crisis deepens under the weight of debt and austerity
SYRIZA: Unified action of executives and expanded opposition, against the background of the election of the President of the Republic
Deregulation of Justice: Three Judicial Officers on Documento on Effects of Florida Judicial Map
#Syria #door #Hama #jihadists #advance #rapid
