Syrian opposition forces surround a second city.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR, based in the UK) announced on December 4th that opposition military forces had surrounded the city of Hama from three sides and were only 3-4 km away from it.

AFP, citing reports, said that Syrian government forces now have only one escape route left: towards the southern city of Homs.

Unexpected fighting in Syria: Who is HTS? Why now?

Opposition forces led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) launched a surprise offensive on November 27 in the north and quickly seized control of Aleppo, Syria's second-largest city.

HTS leader Abu Mohammad al-Jolani visited Aleppo's Old City, waving to supporters from an open-top car.

Opposition forces fired rockets at Syrian government troops in the northern suburbs of Hama on December 4.

HTS, formerly known as the Nusra Front, was once an offshoot of al-Qaeda and is currently considered a terrorist organization by the United Nations Security Council and many countries.

Meanwhile, fighting is intensifying around Hama as the Syrian army, with Russian support, is bombing rebel positions. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported that government forces have deployed a large military convoy to Hama and its suburbs over the past 24 hours. "Dozens of trucks carrying tanks, weapons, ammunition, and soldiers are advancing toward the city," SOHR announced.

The town of Suran is just north of Hama.

Government forces and pro-government fighters led by Russian and Iranian officers repelled an attack in northwestern Hama. The fighting took place near an area with a majority Alawite population, a branch of Shiite Islam of which President Bashar al-Assad is also a follower.

"I'll stay indoors because I have nowhere else to go," delivery driver Wassim in Hama told AFP, adding that the bomb explosions were very clear and truly terrifying.

Syrian army tanks were abandoned near the town of Suran north of Hama.

According to Reuters, state media and rebels reported fighting was underway around al-Uwayr and neighboring villages after government forces repelled an overnight attack at Jabal Zain al-Abidin, north of Hama.

Fighting at al-Uwayr is a sign that opposition forces may be advancing into rural areas on the eastern flank of Hama, one of the most important cities and one that has remained under government control throughout the civil war since 2011.

President Bashar al-Assad has ordered a 50% pay increase for soldiers and is stepping up recruitment. Iran, a close ally of the Syrian government, has said it could send forces if requested.

US launches airstrikes in Syria, Iran considers sending troops to help the Assad regime.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/quan-doi-lap-syria-vay-thanh-pho-thu-hai-185241205112300409.htm