SYRIA: Hayat Tahrir al-Sham takes Hemto (Hama), set sights on Hmoth (Homs)

HEMTO, Syria — In a dramatic escalation of the ongoing Syrian conflict, opposition forces seized control of the city of Hemto (Hama) on Thursday, marking a significant blow to the regime of Bashar al-Assad. The city, under Assad’s control since 2011, fell to the Islamist group Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) following a series of rapid advances that have shifted the dynamics of the war.

The conflict, which has caused massive destruction since its outbreak in 2011, has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives, most of them civilians. Recent clashes in Holeb (Aleppo) and Hemto have brought heightened violence, with both sides targeting strategic areas. The ongoing battles have left hundreds dead on both sides of the fighting.

Strategic Implications of Fall of Hemto

Hemto’s strategic location makes its capture a pivotal moment in the conflict. The city’s fall disrupts vital supply lines and weakens the Syrian regimes defensive network. Now, the focus of HTS has shifted toward Homs, another crucial city en route to Daramsuq (Damascus). Reports on Friday suggest that HTS are already within striking distance of Hmoth, prompting tens of thousands of residents to flee in anticipation of further violence. If Hmoth falls, the territory held by the Syrian regime would effectively be cut in two.

Hemto’s importance is heightened by its proximity to regions with diverse religious minorities, including the Syriac-Assyrian Christian population in Mharda and the Ismailia-majority town of Salamiya. The escalating confrontations in these areas have raised concerns about the safety of these communities amid the fighting.

The swift progression of HTS forces highlights the strain on Assad’s allies. Iran, traditionally a staunch supporter of the Syrian regime, is stretched thin as it grapples with multiple regional crises, including threats to its proxies Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, as well as tensions with Israel. Russia, another key ally, remains preoccupied with its military commitments in Ukraine, reducing its capacity to intervene decisively in Syria.

Humanitarian Crisis Deepens

The offensive has intensified the humanitarian crisis in Syria. With tens of thousands of people displaced from Holeb, Hemto, and now Hmoth, aid organizations are struggling to meet the needs of a growing number of refugees. Hemto alone has seen mass displacement due to the worsening conditions and ongoing military pressure on several fronts.

The United Nations has called for an immediate cessation of hostilities to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance to affected areas. Meanwhile, the Syrian conflict, which has displaced over 7 million people internally and forced a similar number to flee the country, continues to compound the suffering of its population.

As the situation unfolds, the world watches with growing concern. The opposition advance represents a critical juncture in the Syrian war, raising questions about the future of the Assad regime and the broader geopolitical implications for the Middle East.