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2024 Hama offensive

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Not to be confused with 2024 Homs offensive.
For other offensives in Hama, see Hama offensive.

2024 Hama offensive
Part of the 2024 Syrian opposition offensive during the Syrian civil war

Syrian rebels at Hama Military Airport
Date30 November 2024 – 5 December 2024
(5 days)
Location
Hama Governorate, Syria
(parts of southern Idlib Governorate, Syria)
Status Syrian opposition victory[2]
Territorial
changes		 Rebels capture Hama[2][3] and multiple towns in the region, including Salamiyah, Kafr Zita, Latamneh, and Morek,[4][5] as well as the Hama Military Airport[6]
Belligerents
  Syrian Arab Republic
 Russia[1]
Commanders and leaders
Ahmed al-Sharaa Syria Lt. Gen. Abdul Karim Mahmoud Ibrahim[7]
Syria Maj. Gen. Suhayl al-Hasan[8]
Syria Brig. Gen. Adi Ghosa †[9]
Units involved

Military Operations Command

Syrian opposition Syrian National Army

  • "Sultan Suleiman Shah" Division[10]
Al-Shaheen Brigades[11]

 Syrian Armed Forces

 Russian Armed Forces

Casualties and losses
73+ killed[a]
Syrian opposition 5 killed[b]		 Syria 51+ killed[c]
13+ Iranian-backed fighters killed [clarification needed]
17+ civilians killed[d] 115,000 people displaced[e]

The 2024 Hama offensive was a military operation launched by forces of the Syrian Salvation Government (SSG) and Turkish-backed[18] rebel groups of the Syrian Interim Government (SIG) during the 2024 Syrian opposition offensive, a phase of the Syrian civil war. The operation, which was launched by the Military Operations Command, took place in the Hama Governorate.

On 5 December 2024, opposition forces captured Hama.[2]

Background

Main article: 2024 Syrian opposition offensive

On 27 November 2024, Syrian opposition groups led by Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) launched an offensive on pro-government forces in northwestern Syria. This marked the first major offensive by any faction in the conflict since the March 2020 Idlib ceasefire. The operation resulted in the rapid capture of dozens of villages by opposition forces and a significant weakening of pro-government defenses. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, this caused some population displacement towards various Syrian cities, including Hama.[19]

Battle

On 30 November 2024, rebels took control of several towns, including Taybat al-Imam, Kafr Zita, Latamneh, and Morek.[5]

Opening advances

My commanding officer told me to start shooting. He said if you don’t start shooting the enemy, you will be considered a traitor and punished. We kept being told: 'Don't retreat, backup is on the way,' but everyone knew that was a lie. There was no backup.

—Amr, Syrian Army conscript about the fighting north of Hama[20]

Consequently, rebel forces approached the outskirts of Hama and started closing in on the city.[21] Meanwhile, pro-government forces began withdrawing from both the city of Hama and its airbase.[22] An unverified photo started circulating around on early 1 December, showing rebel forces entering the Al-Arba'een neighbourhood in Hama city.[23][unreliable source?] Al-Jazeera also reported that rebel forces had entered Hama.[24]

Following the rebel advances, the Syrian government sent reinforcements to stop the advancing rebel forces, along with special forces affiliated with Maj. Gen. Suhayl al-Hasan to strategic locations, including Jabal Zayn al-Abidin, Taybat al-Imam, Qamhana, and Khitab.[8][17] The Chief of the General Staff of the Army and Syrian Arab Armed Forces, Lt. Gen Abdul Karim Mahmoud Ibrahim, arrived in Hama to oversee the military operations in northern Syria on 1 December 2024.[7]

The next day, the Syrian Army managed to launch a counteroffensive that regained some territory in the Hama province and halted the rebel advance.[25] Russian airstrikes targeted rural parts of Idlib and Hama under rebel control.[1] According to Syrian state news agency SANA, the army overnight pushed back rebels in the northern countryside of Hama Governorate.[17] Both SANA and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights claimed that the Syrian Army succeeded in pushing the rebels back. The Syrian Observatory claimed that the reinforcements formed a "strong defensive line" in the north of Hama.[26] The rebels stated that they would push all the way to Damascus.[27]

On 1 December, as part of the renewed rebel advance into the southern Idlib, seven HTS fighters were killed in Khan Shaykhun by booby-trapped missiles in a former SAA warehouse that was abandoned by retreating government forces in the city.[13] On the same day, Brig. Gen. Adi Ghosa, commander of the Military Security branch in Hama city, was killed in a rebel drone strike.[9] Other commanders such as Colonel Makhlouf Makhlouf started to desert as the insurgents kept advancing.[28]

On 2 December, a rebel drone strike targeting a gathering of pro-government military leaders near Jabal Zayn al-Abidin, north of Hama, caused multiple deaths and injuries among their ranks.[29] By the afternoon, clashes between opposition and pro-government forces intensified in Hama Governorate, particularly near the towns of Karnaz and Suran. In the eastern Hama countryside, opposition forces made advances, capturing the town of Qasr Abu Samrah.[30] In the evening, the heaviest clashes since the start of the offensive took place between opposition and pro-government forces in northern Hama region, with Russian and government aircraft carrying out more than 45 airstrikes. Opposition forces took control of the villages of al-Jubain, Tell Malah, Jalamah, al-Jubain, Breidej, Karnaz and al-Karkat, while pro-government forces were able to thwart attempts to advance on Qalaat al-Madiq.[31][32] Opposition forces' rocket shelling of Hama city killed eight civilians.[33] Clashes also occurred on the frontline in the Al-Ghab Plain, amid a failed HTS offensive where at least ten HTS members were killed attacking SAA positions.[15]

Fighting on the outskirts

On 3 December, rebel forces continued their advance on the pro-government forces, capturing the towns of Taybat al-Imam, Halfaya, Soran, and Maardis.[34] Fighting intensified in the evening between opposition and pro-government forces, as the rebels took control of more than 10 town of villages and reached the outskirts of Hama.[35] At least 17 SAA soldiers and 8 HTS fighters were killed in heavy clashes north of Hama. Two civilians were also killed by HTS shelling in the city.[14]

Anas Alkharboutli, a photographer working for DPA, was killed in an airstrike in Morek, near Hama.[36]

On 4 December, SAA forces launched a counter-offensive to regain possession of the tracked military vehicles academy, 18 km to the northeast of Hama city.[12] Another offensive was conducted by HTS forces on the village of Al-Kareem, adjacent to Al-Bared village near Joureen, where SAA forces repelled the rebel attacks. In the day of offensives on the Hama frontline, at least 48 HTS fighters, 5 SNA fighters and 34 SAA soldiers were killed.[16] By the evening, opposition forces had cut off the roads connecting Hama to Raqqa and Aleppo and took control of the villages of Shaykh Hilal, Al-Saan, and Sarouj in the eastern Hama country side.[37] Heavy clashes continued into the night with the rebels capturing the towns of Khitab and Mubarakat, while fighting persisted in Jabal Zayn al-Abidin.[38]

At the end of the day, rebel forces were able to surround Hama city from three directions and were about four kilometers away. Pro-government forces were still in control of the strategic Hama-Homs route and brought "large military convoys" to the embattled city in the past 24 hours. In the western Hama countryside, fighting approached the Latakia region, mainly populated by Alawites.[39]

Fall of Hama

On 5 December, opposition forces entered the northeastern part of Hama city after capturing the 66th Brigade base east of Hama city. Airstrikes by pro-government forces were reported on the eastern side, concurrently with fighting opposition forces.[40] The Turkish-backed "Sultan Suleiman Shah" division led by Muhammad al-Jassem (Abu Amsha) joined the fight for control over the city.[10]

On the same day, SAA forces withdrew from Hama city. Rebel forces also entered Hama's central prison and freed hundreds of inmates who they said were "wrongfully detained" by the regime.[41][42][3] By the afternoon, opposition forces had established full control over the city and adjacent military airport.[2][6] In a statement, Syrian government said that its "military units had been redeployed and repositioned outside the city" to "preserve the lives of civilians" after opposition forces were able to "penetrate several parts of the city",[41][42] and “significant” number of Hama residents fled.[6]

Subsequent opposition advances

Main article: 2024 Homs offensive

On 5 December 2024, pro-government forces withdrew from the cities of Salamiyah and Talbiseh towards the city of Homs, hours after their withdrawal from Hama as rebels approached the former towns outskirts.[43] In the evening, opposition forces entered Salamiyah without fighting, after reaching an agreement with the city's elders and the religious Ismaili council.[4]

Aftermath

After the fall of Hama, the war was widely considered lost for the Syrian government. Pro-Assad Iraqi millitias were ordered to retreat from Syria after 5 December, as their officers concluded that effective resistance was no longer possible.[28] The Ba'athist leadership attempted to organize a defense of Damascus, but the city fell on 8 December.[20][44]

Analysis

Hama city is a strategic city with supply lines to loyalist coastal strongholds[45] and is close to areas inhabited by Alawites who have largely backed the Assad government in the past. Furthermore, the city acts as junction connecting all four main areas of Syria: North, south, east and west. It links vital supply and transit lines between Damascus and Aleppo.[46][47]

Reactions

See also

Notes

  1. ^ 7[13] 8[14] 10[15] 48[16]
  2. ^ 5[16]
  3. ^ 17[14] 34[16]
  4. ^ 4 by Syrian government airstrikes, 10 by HTS shelling[14] 3[16][17][14]
  5. ^ People were displaced across Idlib and northern Aleppo as per United nations[3]

References

  1. ^ a b "Russian airstrikes hit north-western Syria as militants reach central Aleppo". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d "Syrian rebels capture second major city as army withdraws from Hama". CNN. 5 December 2024. Retrieved 5 December 2024.
  3. ^ a b c AFP (2024-12-05). "Syrian rebels capture key city of Hama". DAWN.COM. Archived from the original on 2024-12-06. Retrieved 2024-12-06.
  4. ^ a b "Major collapse of the regime forces.. "Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham" controls strategic sites near the city of Hama and enters the city of Salamiyah without fighting" (in Arabic). Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 5 December 2024. Retrieved 5 December 2024.
  5. ^ a b "Syrian army withdraws from Hama as rebels push toward Homs". Türkiye Today. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
  6. ^ a b c "Syrian opposition forces capture key city of Hama in fresh blow to Assad". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2024-12-05.
  7. ^ a b "Iran Update, December 1, 2024". Understanding War. American Enterprise Institute.
  8. ^ a b "HTS captures more territory in Northern Hama". Kurdistan 24. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  9. ^ a b c Lucas, Scott (December 1, 2024). "UPDATES: Rebels Reclaim Syria's Largest City Aleppo, Advancing on Hama".
  10. ^ a b "Amid crashing battles in city's suburbs | "Joint forces" send military reinforcement to frontlines on outskirts of Hama city - The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights". 2024-12-05. Retrieved 2024-12-06.
  11. ^ "Shaheen drones: The new rebel weapon in Syria's skies". Middle East Eye. 3 December 2024.
  12. ^ a b "Securing Hama city and Khanaser highway: Regime forces and 25th Division expand operations around Hama city and advance towards "tracked military vehicles" academy". Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 4 December 2024. Archived from the original on 4 December 2024. Retrieved 13 December 2024.
  13. ^ a b "Left by regime forces: Seven rebels killed in explosion of booby-trapped missiles in Khan Shaykhoun". Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 1 December 2024.
  14. ^ a b c d e "Casualties under shelling by H*T*S on Hama: At least 24 members of regime forces and H*T*S kil*led in clashes near Hama". Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 3 December 2024.
  15. ^ a b "After advancing in Hama: Forces of "Blocking Aggression" operation control a town and five villages in northern Hama". Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 2 December 2024.
  16. ^ a b c d e ""Deterrence of Aggression" operation: H-T-S fails to advance towards "Alawite" villages and the largest military camp of regime forces in Sahil Al-Ghab". Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 4 December 2024.
  17. ^ a b c "Syria sends in reinforcements to halt insurgents from advancing after seizing Aleppo". ABC News. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  18. ^ "Turkish-Backed Factions Reach Hama's Outskirts in Central Syria". North Press Agency.
  19. ^ "Following withdrawal of Iranian-backed militias and regime forces, Kurdish forces deploy in Aleppo international airport, Nubl and Al-Zahraa and take control of checkpoints". Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
  20. ^ a b al-Aswad, Omar; Hilton, Daniel (17 December 2024). "The Syrian army's collapse as told by the soldiers who fled". Middle East Monitor. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
  21. ^ "Syrian rebels closing in on city of Hama - report". Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
  22. ^ "Amidst the withdrawal of regime forces from the city of Hama and its military airport, "Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham" continues to advance in its countryside and takes control of new cities and towns" (in Arabic). Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 30 November 2024. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
  23. ^ "המורדים בסוריה נכנסו לעיר חמה . תמונה מרחוב אל-ארבעין) - חדשות רוטר". Rotter.net. Retrieved 2024-11-30.
  24. ^ "Syrian opposition fighters enter the city of Hama". Al-Jazeera. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  25. ^ "Syrian forces regain territory, halt rebel advance in Hama amid heavy fighting". The Siasat Daily. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  26. ^ "Syria: Army sends reinforcements to hold back rebels in Hama". DW News. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  27. ^ Chehayeb, Kareem. "Syria launches counterattacks in an attempt to halt insurgents' surprise advance". AP News. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  28. ^ a b Maya Gebeily; Suleiman Al-Khalidi; Ahmed Rasheed; Timour Azhari (17 December 2024). "How Assad's army collapsed in Syria: demoralised conscripts, absent allies". Reuters. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
  29. ^ "Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and factions target a gathering of military leaders from the regime forces north of Hama city" (in Arabic). Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 2 December 2024. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
  30. ^ "After a violent attack by Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham and the factions.. Fierce battles in the northern and eastern countryside of Hama, coinciding with air strikes and intensive artillery shelling" (in Arabic). Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 2 December 2024. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
  31. ^ "In the fiercest clashes since the launch of Operation "Deterrence of Aggression", regime forces, with heavy air support, thwart the organization's attempts to advance to strategic points in the northern Hama countryside". Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 2 December 2024. p. Arabic. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
  32. ^ "After making progress in the eastern Hama countryside.. "Deterrence of Aggression" forces control a town and 5 villages in the northern Hama countryside and are trying to control the strategic Qalaat Al-Madiq". Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 2 December 2024. p. Arabic. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
  33. ^ "8 citizens martyred in shelling on Hama city.. The number of martyrs from the shells of the Authority and the factions rises to 12 since the beginning of the "Deterrence of Aggression" operation" (in Arabic). Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 2 December 2024. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
  34. ^ "After the fiercest clashes and intensive aerial bombardment, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and the factions control more cities and towns in the Hama countryside" (in Arabic). Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 3 December 2024. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
  35. ^ "As violent clashes continue for more than 24 hours in the Hama countryside, Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham is at the gates of Hama city and is trying to expand to cut off two main roads with Hama and impose a siege on the city". Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 3 December 2024. p. Arabic. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
  36. ^ "German news agency DPA says photographer killed near Syria's Hama". France 24 . 4 December 2024.
  37. ^ ""Red Bands" encircle Hama city... "Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham" cuts off Hama-Raqqa and Hama-Aleppo roads and paves the way with ground shelling on a strategic mountain near Hama city" (in Arabic). Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 4 December 2024. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
  38. ^ "3 km to reach Hama city.. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham surrounds Hama city from 3 sides and cuts off roads with the city" (in Arabic). Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 4 December 2024. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
  39. ^ "Syrian rebels surround key city Hama on 'three sides', war monitor says". France 24. 4 December 2024. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
  40. ^ "After hours of grinding battles.. HTS and factions enter the northeastern side of Hama amid aerial bombardment from warplanes" (in Arabic). Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 5 December 2024. Retrieved 5 December 2024.
  41. ^ a b "Syrian rebels take new city as army announces withdrawal from Hama". The Washington Post. 5 December 2024.
  42. ^ a b c Salem, Mostafa (2024-12-05). "Syrian army withdraws from strategic city of Hama as rebels advance". CNN. Retrieved 2024-12-05.
  43. ^ "After the collapse of the regime forces in the city of Hama.. the withdrawal of the regime forces and the National Defense from the cities of Salamiyah and Talbiseh towards the city of Homs" (in Arabic). Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 5 December 2024. Retrieved 5 December 2024.
  44. ^ "Hope and suspense in East Ghouta as the regime loses ground". Syria Direct. 6 December 2024.
  45. ^ "Syria's elite Tiger Forces fail to stem rebel advance in Hama". The National News. Retrieved 2024-12-05.
  46. ^ "What is the importance of opposition factions' control over Hama". Enabbaladi.
  47. ^ "'Ambiguous relationship': Where does Latakia stand on Suwayda's movement?". Syria Direct. 26 January 2024.
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