Rebels, spearheaded by jihadists from the Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) organization, entered and captured the strategically significant city of Hama in central Syria today, following intense battles. The regime’s army, loyal to President Bashar al-Assad, admitted losing control of the city.

This marks the second city captured by HTS-led rebels within a week: Aleppo, Syria’s second-largest city, fell to jihadist-rebels on December 1.

Rebels “have entered several neighborhoods of Hama, and street battles are ongoing with regime forces,” stated the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

#Syria BREAKING: the city of #Hama is under FULL rebel control. Regime forces have pulled out to the west and the south as they were unable to stop the rebel advance.

Residents take to the streets to celebrate. pic.twitter.com/wBnAonxfDd

— Thomas van Linge (@ThomasVLinge) December 5, 2024

The Syrian army confirmed losing control, announcing its forces had “regrouped” outside Hama. “In recent hours (…), terrorist groups managed to breach several fronts in the city and enter it,” the army said in a statement.

Meanwhile, rebel leader Hassan Abdul Ghani posted on X that rebels had seized Hama’s prison, releasing hundreds of inmates.

The Observatory reported “fierce” clashes this morning between HTS-led Islamist extremists and the Syrian army, which had sent reinforcements to the city.

The rebels managed to nearly encircle Hama, Syria’s fourth-largest city, last night following a surprise offensive launched a week ago, which led to the capture of Aleppo.

Syrian forces, with support from Russian airstrikes, tried unsuccessfully to prevent another jihadist triumph and slow their advance.

Hama’s Strategic Importance

Located 210 km from Damascus, Hama lies on the route connecting Aleppo with the capital. Its capture paves the way for rebels to advance on Homs, a city serving as a crossroads linking Syria’s most populous provinces.

Jihadist Leader Warns Iraqi PM Against Militia Intervention

HTS leader Abu Mohammad al-Jolani urged Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani not to allow Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) to intervene in Syria. Jolani delivered this message in a video released today.

The PMF, known as Hashd al-Shaabi in Arabic, consists of numerous Iran-backed armed groups that previously fought in Syria to help Assad’s forces reclaim rebel-held territories during the early years of the war.

“We urge and hope Iraqi politicians, especially Mohammed al-Sudani… to fulfill their duty by preventing PMF intervention in Syria,” Jolani said.

The PMF stated it has not deployed forces in Syria, with its commanders indicating they would do so only upon leadership orders.

Earlier this week, Reuters reported that several hundred Iraqi militia fighters had been deployed to Syria to assist the government in countering the rebel advance.

Jolani stressed that the conflict in Syria would not spill over into Iraq, adding that the rebel forces aim for strategic economic and political relations with Baghdad once the current regime is overthrown.