The Syrian alliance of rebel groups led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, HTS, has captured the strategically important city of Hama after a lightning offensive in northern Syria.
Lightning offensive
It was less than a week ago that the rebels captured the country’s second largest city, Aleppo.
The advance is the fastest made in Syria since the civil war broke out 13 years ago, reports Reuters.
Next destination: Homs
The government forces write in a statement that they have regrouped outside the city to avoid urban warfare and civilian casualties.
The rebels say their next target is the city of Homs, which is an important link between the capital Damascus and the Mediterranean Sea.