Why is the opposition capture of Hama in Syria so important?
Al Jazeera
Syrian opposition fighters have captured the strategic and symbolically significant city of Hama. This is why it matters.
Opposition fighters in Syria captured the strategic city of Hama on Thursday in a matter of hours.
Fighters from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which means the Committee for the Liberation of the Levant, led the offensive as they stormed the city. Government forces quickly retreated.
Inhabitants appeared to welcome what many described as the liberation of their city from Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s clutches.
One HTS fighter, who did not want to give his name, told Al Jazeera after entering Hama: “Thank God we liberated the city of Hama and now we are securing [it]. With God’s blessing, we will enter the city of Homs next.”
Analysts and observers believe antigovernment fighters could capture most of the country, but say Hama has a particular value for the Syrian opposition.
