On Wednesday, December 4, 2024, the military operations management of Syrian opposition forces announced their approach to the city of Hama, marking the eighth day of their "Deterrence of Aggression" campaign. The opposition has reported significant territorial gains, advancing from three different axes and seizing control of several villages and towns in both the eastern and western Hama countryside.

In a video address, military spokesperson Hassan Abdul Ghani declared that the decision to liberate Hama has been made and that the resolution is imminent. He issued an urgent call to Syrian regime forces, urging those seeking safety to defect or surrender, warning that those who resist will face dire consequences.

Abdul Ghani further elaborated on social media, stating that opposition forces have reached the western and eastern outskirts of Hama, making the city their next target. He noted advances in eastern Hama, where they secured the town of al-Saan along with several key villages, including al-Mubarakats, Rasem al-Baghal, and others.

On the western front, opposition forces have taken control of Rahbat Khattab and its warehouses, as well as several villages, including al-Majdal and Tel Bejo, and the strategic town of Khattab northwest of Hama.

Regarding casualties, Abdul Ghani reported over 50 regime soldiers killed in northern Hama, alongside the capture of five Iranian militia members in the town of Mareshahur, including two Afghans and three Syrian soldiers.

In contrast, the Syrian state news agency SANA quoted a military source denying reports of opposition forces entering Hama, stating that the situation in the city remains secure. The source claimed that joint Syrian and Russian airstrikes targeted opposition gatherings in Hama's countryside, resulting in significant enemy casualties and destruction of equipment.

The Damascus government announced the deployment of substantial military reinforcements to Hama to counter the opposition's advances, while Syrian and Russian airstrikes continued to target areas in Idlib and Aleppo, causing further casualties.

This escalation occurs as part of the "Deterrence of Aggression" operation launched by opposition factions in Idlib, with the stated objective of reclaiming strategic locations. The significance of Hama lies in its geographic positioning at the crossroads of six Syrian provinces, which is crucial for securing both Aleppo and Idlib and exerting pressure on the Syrian coast.