According to the latest reports, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) is advancing rapidly towards north and west Hama in western Syria, causing Assad’s forces to retreat from positions in cities, towns and villages surrounding the area.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reports that HTS forces have now entered more than 15 cities and towns on the outskirts of Hama. This advance has been marked by successive withdrawals of the forces of the Syrian regime from key positions including Hama city, Hama’s military airport, and other strategic locations.
Persian news sources corroborate reports that armed jihadist groups linked to Turkey, specifically HTS, have captured the strategic city of Kafranbel (Kafr Nabl) in southern Idlib province. This occupation places them on the borders of Hama province.
Khan Sheikhun, between Kafranbel and Hama, has also fallen into the hands of jihadist forces. This city, with a population of approximately 60,000, has been a focal point of the Syrian civil war, having been taken and retaken numerous times by the Syrian Army and al-Nusra Front before finally being reclaimed by the regime in 2019.
The swift occupation of Kafranbel and Khan Sheikhun, coming mere hours after the fall of Aleppo, indicates that the jihadist groups backed by Turkey are well-equipped and adequately manned. The fall of Aleppo has significantly bolstered their morale. HTS has also been able to take control of Aleppo airport following the withdrawal of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
Khan Sheikhun, located 37 km north of Hama, 110 km southwest of Aleppo, and 70 km south of Idlib, is strategically significant as it lies along the Aleppo-Damascus highway. This crucial route connects north and south Syria, serving as an essential corridor for both administrative control and the flow of goods.
The SOHR have reported violent clashes in Sherawa (Şêrawa) in the Afrin (Efrîn) region north of Aleppo, involving Kurdish and “combined” forces. These clashes took place around the villages of Tanab (Tanabiyah), Shawarighat al-Arz and al-Malkiyah, although no information on casualties has yet been received.
Meanwhile, after Syrian Army forces retreated toward Maskanah on the eastern outskirts of Aleppo Governorate, Kurdish forces advanced into towns such as Dayr Hafir, Tel Aran and Tel Hasel, along with other nearby villages.
The Syrian Army issued a statement on Saturday in reaction to these developments, acknowledging the loss of dozens of soldiers in opposition-led attacks in northwest Syria. The statement further confirmed that HTS and allied groups had infiltrated significant parts of Aleppo city, forcing the army to redeploy.
The statement said, “The large number of terrorists and the multiple fronts of the conflict have necessitated redeployment operations to strengthen our defensive lines. This step aims to absorb the attack, safeguard civilians and soldiers, and prepare for a counteroffensive.”
In the meantime, following the attacks of HTS on Aleppo, Idlib and Hama, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov discussed the situation in Syria in phone calls with his Turkish and Iranian counterparts. Lavrov’s talks with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan also focused on the Astana peace process for Syria. Both parties expressed deep concern over the escalation of military tensions in the country, highlighting the critical need for coordinated efforts to maintain stability.
The website of the Iranian Foreign Ministry reported that Lavrov and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reaffirmed their support for Syria in a phone call. Araghchi characterised the attacks of the armed groups as “part of an Israeli-American plan to destabilise the region” and stressed the need for strengthened cooperation with Russia to counter the advances of HTS. He further stressed the importance of vigilance and coordinated efforts between Iran and Russia to neutralise the activities of the militants.
In light of recent developments and to enhance cooperation, the Turkish Foreign Ministry announced that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is set to visit Turkey next Monday.
