Fierce clashes are unfolding in northern Hama, with the Syrian army working to block opposition groups trying to enter from three directions: Khatab to the northwest, Maardes to the north, and Maar Shuhur to the northeast.
Hama, located in central Syria, is a key military hub linking the country’s regions. It is home to vital military sites, including Hama military airport, weapon depots, army barracks, and the Mechanized Infantry School, as well as the Military Intelligence Directorate.
Hama is politically and symbolically important, as it is mostly Sunni Muslim. In 1982, the city was the site of the largest anti-Ba'ath regime protests since the 1960s. The protests were met with a harsh military response, killing and displacing tens of thousands.
This event remains a key part of the city's history and played a major role in Hama’s involvement in the 2011 uprising, which was later crushed and turned into an armed conflict.
Although the government controls Hama, the city remains hostile to pro-regime loyalists, who are mainly confined to government offices. There are efforts to increase their presence through official events.
Hama is one of the least militarized cities in Syria, with fewer security forces and military personnel on the streets compared to cities like Damascus and Homs, where they dominate public spaces.
Local sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that while the community has resisted outside influence, recent years have seen growing involvement from Iran and Hezbollah through economic means and warlords.
Iran has increased its presence in Hama’s countryside and tried to spread Shia Islam, taking advantage of local poverty, but its influence in the city itself has been limited.
Hama’s strategic importance lies in its role as a key supply route between Aleppo, the coast, and the poor western countryside villages, which have historically supplied recruits to security forces. It is also connected to the coastal areas, where many senior officials come from.
Militant groups are aiming to capture Hama because it provides a path to advance into southern Hama and northern Homs.
Taking Homs would allow them to cut off Damascus from the coast and block the M5 highway, which links Damascus, Homs, Hama, and Aleppo.
Since the situation escalated in Aleppo and the militant offensive began, Hama has been under intense stress and fear.
As militants neared the city's outskirts last Saturday, a de facto curfew took hold, with many displaced people from Aleppo filling the streets and parks. Dozens are living in cars and on sidewalks, while most businesses have shut down.
Only bakeries and food shops are open for a few hours to meet the high demand for supplies.
