US on sidelines, Russia’s foothold tested as rebels take Syria’s Hama
The rebel blitz over the past week, alongside the collapse of Syrian army positions, has delivered the Islamist militants to the city of Hama and within 90 miles of strategic Russian bases on the Mediterranean Sea.
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This past week revealed the Kremlin’s dominant hand in Syria to be little more than an empty glove.
Al-Qaeda offshoot Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) launched a surprise breakout from Idlib, sending Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s forces into chaotic retreat from Syria’s second largest city, Aleppo.
The stunning collapse of much of the Syrian army along the frontlines has delivered the Islamist opposition to the city of Hama and within 90 miles of strategic Russian bases on the Mediterranean Sea.
