On Thursday, December 5, 2024, Syrian opposition forces announced their complete control over the city of Hama, following fierce battles against the Syrian regime and allied Iranian militias.

In a statement, the Syrian Army acknowledged that its troops had redeployed outside Hama after opposition factions advanced into the city.

Hama, strategically located in central Syria, serves as a crucial military hub, hosting sensitive military and security installations, including Hama Military Airport, military depots, army brigades, and training facilities like the Mechanized School, as well as branches of military intelligence.

With the opposition's takeover of Hama, analysts predict that the next battle will likely occur in the neighboring city of Homs. This speculation arises from the Syrian Army's repositioning outside Hama without any apparent attempts to reclaim the city.

Homs is situated approximately 162 kilometers from the Syrian capital, Damascus, and is the third-largest city in Syria by population, following Damascus and Aleppo. It is located on the eastern bank of the Orontes River and serves as a vital transportation hub, connecting southern provinces and cities with coastal, northern, and eastern regions.

The opposition forces' advance to Hama follows their earlier capture of Aleppo, the largest city in Syria, which brought them within 135 kilometers of Hama. The city itself is just 46 kilometers from Homs.

Since November 27, opposition factions have launched military operations against regime forces in various regions across the country. They entered Aleppo on Friday and subsequently gained control of Idlib province the following day.

After securing Aleppo and Idlib, the opposition continued their advance toward Hama, ultimately achieving full control by the evening.

The rapid collapse of the Syrian regime's defenses, especially after the loss of Hama—considered the first line of defense for the capital—has raised concerns about the stability of the regime's control in the region.