Smoke billows near residential buildings in a picture taken from a drone in Aleppo, Syria December 3, 2024. REUTERS/Mahmoud Hasano
Syrian Rebels Push Toward Hama, Escalating Pressure on Assad
Syrian rebels advanced toward the government-held city of Hama on Tuesday, capturing villages in the vicinity and intensifying pressure on President Bashar al-Assad. The rebel push follows their dramatic seizure of Aleppo last week, marking a significant resurgence in Syria’s long-stalemated civil war.
Rebel Gains and Government Retaliation
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and rebel sources reported the capture of villages north of Hama, including Maar Shahur. Syrian state media confirmed the arrival of reinforcements to the area as government forces and their allies scrambled to halt the advance.
The city of Hama, a government stronghold since the war began in 2011, is a vital strategic location. Its capture would significantly challenge Assad’s ability to maintain control in central Syria.
Assad’s Allies Respond
Iran and Russia, Assad’s key allies, have begun mobilizing support:
- Iran: Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi indicated Tehran would consider sending troops if Damascus requested. Meanwhile, hundreds of Iran-backed Iraqi fighters have reportedly entered Syria to bolster Assad’s forces.
- Russia: President Vladimir Putin called for an end to “terrorist aggression” and has stepped up airstrikes alongside Syrian government forces.
However, Russia’s focus on the war in Ukraine and Israeli airstrikes targeting Iran-backed militias in Syria have strained Assad’s support network.
U.S.-Backed SDF Opens New Front
Adding to Assad’s challenges, the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) launched an assault on Syrian government positions in the northeast. The SDF, a coalition led by the Kurdish YPG militia, seized seven villages previously held by Syrian government forces in Deir al-Zor, a region critical for supply routes.
Syrian state media reported counterattacks by the army and Iran-backed militias, while the U.S. conducted at least one airstrike in the area, citing self-defense.
Escalation Risks and Regional Implications
The escalating conflict in Syria risks destabilizing an already volatile region, which is grappling with wars in Gaza and Lebanon. A truce between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon has done little to contain the broader regional fallout.
In northern Syria, rebel advances have also displaced the YPG, with reports of losses in Aleppo’s Sheikh Maqsoud district and the Tel Rifaat corridor. The YPG’s weakened position further complicates U.S. and Kurdish-led efforts to maintain stability in areas previously liberated from ISIS.
Airstrikes and Humanitarian Concerns
Russian and Syrian government airstrikes have intensified, targeting rebel-held areas and resulting in civilian casualties. Rescue workers have reported strikes on hospitals in Aleppo and Idlib, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian crisis.
Israel has continued its campaign against Iran-backed militias in Syria, including a strike near Damascus on Tuesday that Hezbollah said killed a senior officer coordinating with Syrian forces.
Geopolitical Maneuvering
The battlefield in northern Syria has drawn involvement from multiple powers, including the U.S., Russia, Iran, and Turkey, reflecting the global stakes in the conflict. Iran announced plans for a foreign ministers’ meeting with Turkey and Russia in Doha to revisit border stabilization efforts.
Outlook
The rebel offensive has disrupted years of relative stability following Assad’s territorial gains in 2020. With Assad’s forces stretched thin and reliant on foreign militias, the outcome of this renewed fighting could reshape Syria’s fragmented landscape.
The crowded and volatile battlefield underscores the intricate web of alliances and rivalries at play, with local dynamics entangled in broader geopolitical conflicts.
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