On the 5th, Syrian opposition forces captured the strategic central city of Hama, while Syrian government troops have been redeployed outside the city.
The General Command of the Syrian Army and Armed Forces stated that the government troops stationed in Hama have been redeployed outside the city to protect civilian lives and prevent them from being caught in the fighting.
The statement mentioned that over the past few days, Syrian government forces repelled and thwarted continuous attacks launched by opposition forces on Hama from various directions. In the last few hours, as confrontations intensified and government troops suffered casualties, the opposition forces managed to breach the inner defenses multiple times and enter the city despite sustaining significant losses.
The statement declared that the government troops would continue to fulfill their duty and reclaim areas entered by the opposition forces.
The opposition forces had never previously taken control of this strategic central city, and capturing it will hinder the government's ability to launch swift counter-attacks on opposition strongholds captured in the past week.
The opposition forces stated they are ready to advance toward Homs to the south, a crossroads city connecting the capital Damascus, northern Syria, and coastal areas.
Reports indicate that if opposition forces advance to Homs, they may cut off the connection between Damascus and coastal areas.