Syrian rebel forces continued their offensive on Tuesday, advancing toward the strategic city of Hama after their shocking capture of Aleppo last week. The move marks a significant escalation in the Syrian civil war, putting immense pressure on President Bashar Assad and his allies, Russia and Iran.
Rebels and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported the capture of villages near Hama, including Maar Shahur, just miles from the city. In response, Syrian state media announced the deployment of reinforcements to the area.
Hama has remained under government control since the conflict began in 2011. Losing the city would represent a significant blow to Assad, who has relied heavily on support from Russia and Iran to maintain power. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi stated that Tehran is open to sending troops if requested by Damascus, while Russian President Vladimir Putin called for an end to “terrorist aggression” in Syria.
Iraqi Prime Minister Shia al-Sudani blamed Israeli airstrikes for weakening Assad’s forces and expressed Iraq’s intention to play an active role in Syria. Meanwhile, Kurdish-led forces backed by the United States opened a new front in the northeast, further straining Assad’s resources by cutting off key supply routes.
Last week’s rebel takeover of Aleppo, once Syria’s largest city, signified the most significant gain by opposition forces in years. However, the advance has raised concerns in neighboring Israel. A report in Haaretz suggested that Israel fears chemical weapons and advanced missiles could fall into the hands of rebels or Iran-backed militias during the chaos surrounding the seizure of Assad’s military facilities.
Israeli officials, through Russia, reportedly conveyed warnings to Assad to prevent Iran from gaining further footholds in Syria. Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, an IDF spokesperson, emphasized that Israel is closely monitoring developments to ensure its security is not compromised.
As rebel forces push forward, Iranian-backed Iraqi militias have entered Syria to bolster Assad’s forces. However, Hezbollah, another major Iran-aligned group, reportedly has no plans to intervene at this time.
Simultaneously, Russian and Syrian warplanes have intensified airstrikes against rebel positions. These attacks have targeted key rebel strongholds, with rescue workers reporting deadly strikes on hospitals in Aleppo and Idlib.
With Russia increasingly focused on its war in Ukraine, and Israeli strikes crippling Hezbollah’s leadership, the dynamics of the Syrian conflict are shifting dramatically, leaving Assad’s grip on power more vulnerable than it has been in years.