Dramatic developments.. Syrian opposition enters Hama amid ongoing collapse of regime forces

With the rapid advance of the Syrian opposition factions, this Saturday afternoon, in the northern Hama countryside, and their ability to control most of the cities and towns there, the Syrian regime forces began to evacuate their positions and head completely to the Homs Governorate, located to the south.

The Military Operations Department, which is leading the opposition forces’ attack, stated that regime forces have begun to withdraw from the city of Hama, and announced that its forces have begun to enter the Arbaeen neighborhood inside the city.

Sources accompanying the attacking forces indicated that the regime authorities requested the evacuation of the university housing in the city of Hama, in parallel with the withdrawal of military convoys of regime forces from the center of Hama city towards the city of Homs, amidst a state of great confusion with the advance of the "Military Operations Administration" fighters in the northern Hama countryside, and the collapse of the regime's points and institutions.

The sources pointed out that a number of government and security departments in the city were also evacuated.

For his part, a military source affiliated with the regime forces denied the veracity of this news. Pro-regime media outlets quoted the source as saying: "There is no truth to the news published by armed terrorist organizations through their platforms, websites and some media channels about the withdrawal of the Syrian army from Hama."

The source added, "We confirm that our armed forces units are stationed in their positions in the northern and eastern countryside of Hama province, and they are fully prepared to repel any potential terrorist attack." He added, "The friendly Syrian and Russian warplanes are also targeting terrorist gatherings, movements, and supply lines."

However, the last few hours witnessed mass withdrawals of regime forces, as the factions announced successive control over the cities and towns of the northern countryside, from Morek to Latamneh, Kafr Zita, Kafr Nabudah, Kafr Zita, Halfaya, Qalaat al-Madiq, Taybat al-Imam, and Soran, while activists on social media published pictures and video clips documenting the withdrawal of regime forces from the city.

The military factions announced their control over the strategic city of Muhardah, north of Hama, which has a Christian majority, a claim that was also denied by the regime authorities. The factions also announced their control over the strategic Jabal Zain al-Abidin on the northern edge of Hama city.

Local sources confirmed the withdrawal of Russian forces from Hama military airport after the arrival of faction fighters to the outskirts of Hama city. Opposition sources reported that the airport was targeted by more than 10 suicide planes by the Shaheen Brigades, affiliated with the opposition factions. Opposition sources reported the withdrawal of regime forces from the 47th Brigade south of Hama city.

The past hours in Syria have witnessed dramatic developments after the opposition factions began what they called the "battle to deter aggression" and their rapid control over large areas in Idlib and Aleppo in the northwest of the country, with the Syrian army collapsing in front of them.

Source: Agencies