Rebel forces in Syria were advancing toward the city of Hama on Tuesday, less than a week after they launched a surprise offensive against the regime of Ba'athist dictator Bashar al-Assad.
The Associated Press reported that the insurgents, led by former Al Qaeda affiliate Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, are currently holding positions just 6 miles from the northern outskirts of the municipality, following their capture of Aleppo on Saturday.
In response to the incursion, Syrian state media reported the deployment of pro-government reinforcements to the area, with support from the Russian Air Force.
Along with Moscow’s backing for al-Assad, authorities in the Islamic Republic and Iraq have indicated they might intervene in the conflict if Damascus seeks help. On Monday, two militias supported by Tehran entered the war-torn nation to aid in suppressing the rebellion.
The United Nations estimates that 50,000 people have been displaced since the fighting started.
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