DAMASCUS, Dec 6 (Alliance News): Airstrikes hit the Al-Rastan bridge on the highway connecting Homs and Hama, aiming to disrupt rebel movements after their recent capture of Hama, a key city in Syria’s ongoing conflict.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that fighter jets launched multiple strikes to sever the vital route and secure Homs, which lies 40 kilometers south of Hama. Government forces have also constructed soil barriers on the highway to slow the rebel advance.
The fall of Hama follows intense street battles, with rebels declaring the city’s “complete liberation.” Scenes of celebration included residents burning a giant portrait of President Bashar al-Assad.
The government acknowledged losing control but described it as a “temporary tactical measure.”
The escalation marks Syria’s most intense fighting since 2020, with 826 fatalities reported in the past week, including 111 civilians. Analysts warn that the war, dormant in recent years, appears to be reigniting as underlying tensions remain unresolved.
In response, Assad has increased career soldiers’ pay by 50% to strengthen his forces for a counteroffensive.
The rebels began their offensive on November 27, coinciding with a ceasefire in the Israel-Hezbollah conflict in neighboring Lebanon.
