Syrian army, Russian forces counter rebel advances in Hama

The Syrian Armed Forces, with air support from the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS), launched strikes targeting militant concentrations in Hama province, inflicting heavy casualties.

The Syrian Ministry of Defence announced through its official Facebook account that "dozens of militants were wounded and eliminated" in the operation, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

The offensive comes after Syrian opposition forces launched a major attack on November 28 in the western districts of Aleppo province. Rebel groups seized 13 settlements, including the key towns of Urm al-Sugra and Anjar. By November 30, the Syrian Defence Ministry reported that armed groups had penetrated several districts of Aleppo city. In response, Russian airstrikes have been intensifying to counter rebel movements.

On December 5, Syrian government forces retreated from Hama city, reportedly to protect civilians. Syrian Defence Minister Ali Mahmoud Abbas stated that the withdrawal was a strategic decision aimed at minimizing civilian harm as opposition forces entered the area.

According to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), the opposition group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and allied forces have continued their campaign southward. Following their capture of Hama and its military airport on December 5, HTS announced plans to advance toward Homs. Reports suggest an HTS-led convoy is moving along the M5 highway toward the city.

Unverified accounts indicate that residents of Talbiseh, a town 8 kilometres north of Homs, are preparing to "liberate" their town, anticipating the rebel advance. HTS forces are benefiting from the rapid disintegration of Syrian Arab Army (SAA) defences in the region.

By Tamilla Hasanova