Rebel advances in Syria trigger displacement wave in North
Reports from Syria indicate that rebel groups have made rapid advances, reaching the gates of Hama province in central Syria, and continue to push forward.
The armed opposition groups, led by the extremist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, have advanced from their stronghold in Aleppo in the north towards strategic provinces, including Hama. This advance has led to a widespread displacement of civilians.
The United Nations has expressed concern over the increasing insecurity in Syria, stating that around 50,000 Syrians have been displaced in the past few days. The escalation in violence has caused large-scale refugee movements, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the region.
On Tuesday, Syrian state news agency SANA reported that the government has reinforced its defense lines in Aleppo province and is preparing for counterattacks. However, reports suggest that rebels have captured several towns in Hama and are now on the doorstep of the province.
International media, citing war-monitoring groups, have reported that this rapid advance of extremist groups has created a significant wave of refugees.
In addition, during a recent UN Security Council meeting, the United States and Russia accused each other of supporting terrorism in Syria. Russian President Vladimir Putin, a close ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, had promised to halt the rebel advances. In a conversation with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Putin called for an immediate end to the “terrorist aggression” in Syria.
The rebels launched their assault on Aleppo immediately after a ceasefire agreement between Hezbollah and Israel, disrupting four years of relative calm in the country. Rebel forces have attacked the provinces of Aleppo, Hama, and Homs in the north and center. While their advance has been limited in Homs and Hama, it has led to further tensions in the Middle East.
Iraqi militias, including the Kata’ib Hezbollah group, have urged the Baghdad government to send military forces to Syria to prevent the rebels’ progress. Iran’s foreign minister has also stated that if Syria requests assistance, it would consider the request.
The situation in Syria remains volatile with ongoing military confrontations and a humanitarian crisis. As foreign powers continue to intervene and the rebel forces make strategic advances, the prospect of peace and stability in the region seems uncertain, further complicating the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East.
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