The Syrian army has sent additional forces to northern Hama province to to push back the Islamist rebels, who in recent days seized strategic sites in Aleppo and began to advance towards Hama, reports the Associated Press, as quoted by Focus.
Led by the group "Hayat Tahrir al-Sham" (designated a terrorist organization by multiple countries), the rebels seized key sites, including the military academy and artillery college in Aleppo. According to their commander, Colonel Hassan Abdulghani, the operation was quick and well coordinated.
The reaction of the Syrian government
Syrian state television SANA reported that government forces had killed nearly 1,000 rebels in the past three days. However, state media did not provide evidence for these claims. Meanwhile, there is a concentration of government troops in the northern part of Hama province, where, according to independent sources such as the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a "strong defense line" has been established.
The role of Russia and Iran
Russian airstrikes are targeting rebel-held areas of Idlib and northern Hama. Allies of Syrian President Bashar Assad – Russia and Iran – are engaged in geopolitical conflicts of their own, which analysts say limits their support.
Statement by President Assad
In his first comments since the start of the offensive, Bashar Assad said Syria would continue to defend its territorial integrity against "terrorists and their supporters". He expressed confidence that the country is capable of dealing with the increasing attacks.