Days after Aleppo, Islamist-led rebels capture Syrian city of Hama

Syrian rebels, spearheaded by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), seized control of Hama on Thursday, following their recent victory in Aleppo. The Syrian army retreated to minimize civilian casualties. This strategic city’s capture, situated between Aleppo and Damascus, potentially opens a path south for the rebels. Hama holds historical significance for past anti-government uprisings and a brutal 1982 crackdown.