Opposition factions in northwest Syria have reached the outskirts of Hama, advancing from several directions, an opposition leader, Hassan Abdel Ghani, said on Tuesday.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported heavy fighting in northern Hama province, a key region linking Aleppo to Damascus. Russian and Syrian warplanes have launched dozens of airstrikes on opposition positions.
Opposition fighters have captured several areas, the Observatory said.
An AFP photographer saw abandoned tanks and vehicles left by Syrian forces on roads near Hama. The Syrian army has sent reinforcements to slow the opposition's advance, which has intensified over the past two days.
An opposition fighter, Abu Al-Huda Al-Sourani, said they are pushing towards Hama after securing nearby towns. On Monday, opposition fighters shelled the city, killing six civilians, the Observatory reported.
Abdel Ghani said earlier that the Syrian army is facing “major collapses” as the opposiont makes progress near Hama.
Hama city and nearby areas are seeing a massive exodus as intense battles continue between Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), its allied factions, and Syrian government forces.
HTS and its allies, under the “Deterring Aggression” operation, captured several towns in northern Hama, including Taybat al-Imam, Halfaya, Souran, and Maardas, after heavy clashes and government airstrikes.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said dozens of families fled western Hama villages like Joreen and Shatha toward Latakia. Others left northern Hama areas and parts of Hama city, seeking safety in Homs or southern villages.
This surge in violence comes as Aleppo, Syria’s second-largest city, fell out of government control for the first time since 2011, with HTS and Turkish-backed factions taking over most of it.
The Observatory reported 571 deaths, including 98 civilians, since fighting escalated on November 27. The UN said more than 48,500 people, mostly children, have fled Idlib and northern Aleppo in recent days.
