Assad regime under major pressure as Islamist rebels seize more territory; Israel, US watch

The ongoing conflict in Syria has taken a significant turn with the recent capture of the strategic city of Hama by anti-Assad rebel forces. This development has caught many by surprise, including the U.S. military, which has emphasized that it has no active involvement in the fighting.

The rebel forces, led by the Salafi-jihadist organization Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), have been planning this attack on Assad’s forces for four years. HTS, which evolved from the al Qaeda-linked Nusra Front, controls much of northwest Syria and has spearheaded the recent advances against Assad’s regime. The group has been designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. and other nations.

The rebel leader, Abu Mohammed al-Golani, has warned Iran-backed militias in Iraq to stay out of the conflict in Syria. There are also fears that ISIS is seeking to exploit the situation, with the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) announcing measures to counter the group’s resurgence.

Russian and Syrian forces have responded to the rebel incursion by bombing Syrian Islamist rebels. Israeli officials are closely monitoring the situation, especially as key Syrian government sites, including air bases and weapons stockpiles, have fallen to rebel forces. There are concerns that rebels have seized sites tied to Syria’s chemical weapons program, posing a potential threat to Israel and the region.

The humanitarian crisis in northern and northwestern Syria continues to deepen, with thousands of civilians being displaced by the escalating violence. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reports that over 280,000 civilians are facing displacement, with many fleeing to northeast Syria. Experts warn that extremist groups like ISIS could exploit the chaos, posing a threat not only to Syria but to the broader region.

As the conflict in Syria intensifies, the international community must remain vigilant and work towards a peaceful resolution to end the suffering of the Syrian people. The situation in Syria is complex and requires a coordinated effort to address the root causes of the conflict and prevent further escalation.