The BBCRebels have launched a major offensive against the government in Syria, seizing cities in a lightning advance that has expanded the territory they control.
Rebels seized the city of Hama on Thursday, dealing a major new blow to President Bashar al-Assad and his Russian and Iranian allies.
The capture of Hama gives them control of the strategically-located central city for the first time since the civil war that followed the uprising against Bashar al-Assad 13 years ago.
Russia, Syria’s main ally, has been carrying out airstrikes against rebels led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group, but it is not clear how – or if – Assad will be able to halt the advance, which has led to his government’s collapse. Survival may be at risk.
Map: Where is Syria?
Syria, a country of about 22 million people, is located on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea. It is bordered by Turkey to the north, Lebanon and Israel to the west and southwest, Iraq to the east, and Jordan to the south.
Turkey, Western powers and several Gulf Arab states have supported various elements of the Syrian opposition to varying degrees during the fight.
The Lebanon-based Hezbollah movement, which is backed by Iran, has fought alongside the Syrian government’s army but has been severely weakened by its conflict with Israel.
Israel, concerned about what it calls Iran’s “military presence” in Syria, has launched airstrikes against the Syrian army.
How much territory did the rebels gain?
After years of being locked behind frozen front lines, the rebels have made the fastest battlefield advance on either side in the civil war, in Aleppo and Idlib provinces, the last remaining areas under their control along the Turkish border. The area has gone south from Tha.
Hama is located a third of the way down the 330 km (205 mi) road that connects Aleppo and Damascus.
His arrest would prevent any swift attempts by Assad and his allies to launch a counter-offensive against the rebel gains made last week.
The arrival of rebel fighters in Hama comes a week after the start of a major offensive that has captured Aleppo and broken a years-long stalemate.
Rebels have been fighting since Tuesday to reach Hama, encircling the city from the north, east and west, where they clashed with the Syrian army.
The capture of Hama could clear the way for a further push by the rebels further south, including the central junction of Homs and the capital Damascus.
Map: Key highway connecting Aleppo and Damascus.
Rebels have said they are ready to march south to Homs, a junction city that connects the capital Damascus to the north and the coast.
A rebel advance on Homs, 40 kilometers (24 miles) south of Hama, could cut off Damascus from the coastal region, an area where Assad is backed and where his Russian allies have a naval base and an airbase in Latakia.
Assad has vowed to “crush” the rebels and accused Western powers of trying to remap the region.
