Syrian Military Retreats from Hama Amid Rebel Progression, Promises Counterattack
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Damascus, Dec 5 (NationPress) The Syrian military declared on Thursday that it has repositioned its forces away from the western-central city of Hama following intense skirmishes with rebel factions, affirming that these groups have successfully entered the city after facing heavy attacks from multiple fronts.
"In recent days, our armed forces have engaged in fierce combat to repel and thwart the violent and successive offensives launched by terrorist organizations on the city of Hama from various directions and in large numbers, employing a range of military equipment and supported by infiltration units," stated a communiqué from the Syrian General Command of the Army and Armed Forces.
"In the last hours, with escalated confrontations between our soldiers and the terrorist groups and the increase of martyrs in our ranks, those factions managed to breach multiple fronts within the city and gain entry, despite incurring significant losses," it continued.
Furthermore, the Syrian military vowed to "persist in executing its national duty to reclaim the territories seized by the terrorist organizations", according to reports from Xinhua.
The withdrawal of the Syrian army signifies a pivotal moment in the ongoing conflict within Syria, as Hama, the fourth-largest city in the nation, has predominantly remained under government control throughout the 13-year civil struggle.
Prior reports from local outlets and activists indicated that rebel militants from the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) had infiltrated the northeastern sectors of Hama following one of the most aggressive assaults in the region to date.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based conflict monitor, reported that the HTS and allied groups advanced from various fronts—north, northeast, and west—to reach Hama and engage with government forces.
The recent escalation in Hama and surrounding areas highlights the intensifying struggle between Syrian government forces and rebel factions, including HTS, which governs parts of northwestern Syria.
The United Nations and humanitarian organizations have consistently urged for the protection of civilians and unhindered access for aid delivery, expressing concern over the ongoing conflict's repercussions on the Syrian population.
