DAMASCUS/BEIRUT/ANKARA - Syria's defense minister emphasized Thursday night the army's readiness to reclaim lost areas from rebel forces, describing the army's withdrawal from the central city of Hama as a "tactic."
Ali Mahmoud Abbas made the remarks in a televised statement when addressing the ongoing battles against rebel groups.
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"We have engaged in fierce and continuous battles against the most extreme terrorist organizations, which employ guerrilla tactics. This requires our armed forces to adopt appropriate strategies, including advances, withdrawals, and redeployments," Abbas said.
The minister described the current field situation as "good," stating that the recent redeployment of forces outside Hama was a "tactical" measure to protect civilians.
"This is a temporary measure. Our forces remain on the outskirts of Hama, fully prepared to fulfill their national and constitutional duties," he assured, reiterating that the military's actions were part of a broader strategy to ensure long-term stability.
Abbas also accused the rebel groups of spreading disinformation aimed at creating chaos amid the army's withdrawal, calling on residents to rely solely on information disseminated through official channels.
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The minister also expressed confidence in Syria's ability to overcome the current challenges. "With our army, people, leadership, and the support from our allies and friends, Syria is capable of surmounting any difficulties, no matter how severe they are," he said.
The minister's remarks come as Syrian government forces are facing assaults by rebel groups, led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, on multiple fronts in the northern, central, and eastern regions.
By Thursday, the rebel forces have seized major cities such as Aleppo and Hama after the army announced a withdrawal from Hama and redeployment of its forces outside the city.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah will support the Syrian government amid escalating offensives by rebel forces, Hezbollah leader Sheikh Naim Qassem said in a televised speech.
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While Qassem did not clarify the form of support, he assured that Hezbollah would "do what it could."
Qassem accused the US and Israel of instigating aggression against Syria due to their failure in Gaza. He also claimed that "terrorist groups" sought to shift Syria's alignment from supporting the resistance to backing Israeli occupation.
"We face a very dangerous Israeli project against the Middle East," Qassem warned.
His comments came hours after Syrian opposition forces captured the strategic city of Homs in central Syria, marking a significant advance in their offensive that started on Nov 27. The rebels had previously seized Aleppo, Syria's second-largest city, in earlier assaults.
The United Nations World Food Program reported that more than 280,000 people had been displaced by the recent violence, according to a post on X.
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Also on Thursday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres held a phone call, discussing the latest developments in Syria, according to a statement from Erdogan's office.
During the phone conversation, Erdogan highlighted Türkiye's commitment to stability in Syria, reiterating that Ankara's primary objective is to prevent further instability and civilian casualties in the region, the statement said.
At a later UN press meeting, Guterres said he emphasized during his talks with Erdogan the urgent need for immediate humanitarian access to all civilians in need and a return to the UN-facilitated political process to end the bloodshed.
The UN chief also stressed that all parties are obligated under international law to protect civilians.