Anti-Assad rebels captured the strategic Syrian city of Hama on Thursday, marking one of the most significant developments in Syria’s 13-year civil war. The rapid advance of the rebels, including the fall of Aleppo, has apparently taken many by surprise.
During the day Thursday Pentagon briefingMajor General Patrick Ryder acknowledged the destabilizing effects of developments in Syria, but emphasized that the US is not involved in the ongoing fighting.
“We call on all parties to de-escalate to ensure the protection of minorities in the region,” Ryder said.
Ryder added that the USA remains aware of the potential for further death and destruction, but plays no active role in the conflict. There are about 900 U.S. troops in Syria as part of a mission to defeat Islamic State.
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An anti-government fighter covers his ears as a multi-barrel rocket launcher fires at regime forces in the northern outskirts of the west-central city of Hama, December 4, 2024. (Bakr al Kassem/AFP via Getty Images)
The surprise attack on Assad’s forces, led by the Salafist-jihadist organization Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) led by Abu Mohammed al-Golani, was reportedly planned for four years.
HTS is Syria’s most powerful rebel faction, having emerged from the al-Qaeda-linked Nusra Front, but claimed in 2016 to cut ties with the group. The group controls much of northwestern Syria and has spearheaded the recent push against Assad’s forces. The US and other countries have designated the country as a terrorist organization.
Rebel leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani underlined growing regional tensions and warned Iranian-backed militias in Iraq to avoid involvement.
“We once again urge him (the Prime Minister of Iraq) to prevent Iraq from falling into the flames of a new war related to what is happening in Syria,” Golani said in a video.
Rebels in northwestern Syria seized regime military vehicles along the route to Kweris Airport in Aleppo’s eastern countryside on December 2, 2024. (Rami Alsayed/NurPhoto via APRami Alsayed/NurPhoto via AP)
In addition to HTS, there is growing fear that ISIS is trying to exploit the situation. The US-backed and Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) announced measures on Thursday to counter the group’s resurgence.
“The terrorist organization ISIS recently declared control over significant parts of the Homs and Deir Ezzor deserts and seized numerous towns and strategic positions from Damascus government forces,” the SDF media head said in a post on formerly Twitter.
In 2014, ISIS controlled large swathes of land in Syria and Iraq.
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Israeli officials are closely monitoring developments. The fall of key Syrian government sites to rebel forces, including air bases and weapons stockpiles, has prompted emergency security meetings.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz and IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi stressed Israel’s readiness to tackle any new threats on its borders.
“The IDF will not allow threats near the Israeli-Syrian border and will act to neutralize any danger to Israeli civilians,” the IDF said in a statement.
Displaced Kurds leave the refugee camp in northern Aleppo and flee to Afrin on December 4, 2024. (Ugur Yildirim/DIA Images/Abaca/Sipa USA)
Israel’s Channel 12 news reported that security officials are concerned that rebels have also taken over locations linked to it Syria’s chemical weapons program. While much of Syria’s chemical arsenal was dismantled in 2013 under international agreements, experts warn that undeclared reserves could pose a critical threat if acquired by extremist groups.
Analysts say the Assad regime’s dependence on Russian and Iranian support has decreased due to changing geopolitical priorities. With Russia preoccupied with its war in Ukraine and Hezbollah suffering significant losses in its conflict with Israel, the regime’s forces appear increasingly vulnerable. Analysts suggest that the fall of Homs, a crucial city south of Hama, could separate Damascus from coastal strongholds and signal a possible regime collapse.
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As fighting continues, the humanitarian crisis continues to deepen in northern and northwestern Syria. This was reported by the United Nations Office Coordination of humanitarian affairsThe escalating hostilities have displaced thousands of people, with many fleeing from Tel Rifaat to northeastern Syria.
With more than 280,000 civilians at risk of being displaced by the latest violence, experts warn that ISIS and other extremist groups could exploit the chaos and threaten not just Syria but the wider region.
Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this article.
