Sudden Collapse of Regime Forces in Aleppo, Hama, and Idlib

Sudden Collapse of Regime Forces in Aleppo, Hama, and Idlib
The rapid advance of factions led by "Hayat Tahrir al-Sham/Al-Nusra Front" in major cities reveals unprecedented weakness in the regime's military capabilities and declining direct Russian support
November 30, 2024, 7:32 pm

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Military confrontations suddenly intensified in Syria between Syrian regime forces and armed factions led by "Hayat Tahrir al-Sham/Al-Nusra Front" today, Saturday, marking the first time that factions have penetrated Aleppo, Syria's second-largest city, since regime forces took complete control of the city in 2016.

In recent developments, "Hayat Tahrir al-Sham" has strengthened its influence in several areas of rural Hama, adding that it is currently reinforcing its presence in northern rural Hama, in a development that reflects a dramatic shift in the balance of power.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported the withdrawal of Syrian regime forces from Hama city, indicating that "military convoys belonging to the army withdrew from Hama to Homs." The Observatory added that "Hayat Tahrir al-Sham" and factions seized 16 villages in rural Hama during the past hours, indicating the collapse of the regime's first defense lines.

The Syrian regime forces denied reports of withdrawal from Hama, adding: "Our forces remain positioned in their locations in the northern and eastern countryside of Hama," emphasizing that its forces are "ready to repel any attack in Hama," in an attempt to reassure its allies and supporters.

Idlib governorate has come completely out of Syrian regime control, after factions managed to tighten their grip on the cities of Maarat al-Numan and Khan Sheikhoun, according to confirmations from two sources from the fighting factions.

A wave of mass displacement swept through Aleppo, with thousands of civilian cars rushing via the Khanasser-Athria road toward the cities of Latakia and Salamiyah, especially with the closure of the main highway connecting Damascus and Aleppo.

Field observers reported the successive fall of Aleppo neighborhoods to the factions, with a comprehensive withdrawal of regime forces from most areas, except for some southern parts that remain under Damascus's control.

Military sources revealed that the regime received promises of urgent Russian military aid, expecting Russian military equipment and hardware to arrive at Hmeimim base within 72 hours, in an attempt to regain the initiative.

Regional positions varied regarding the rapid developments, with the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman accusing Washington and Tel Aviv of standing behind regional destabilization, while Turkey called for avoiding escalation and protecting civilians.

Russia found itself in an awkward position, as the Kremlin stated that the events in Aleppo represent an infringement on Syrian sovereignty, confirming Moscow's support for regime recovery in the region, while its air forces announced neutralizing about 200 militants in Aleppo and Idlib governorates.

Levant-Agencies

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