Rebels, led by the jihadist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), have taken over the strategic city of Hama in central Syria after fierce fighting with President Bashar al-Assad’s forces, which acknowledged losing control. This is the second city captured by HTS within a week, following Aleppo. The Syrian army, which is receiving support from Russian airstrikes, is struggling to halt the advance of the rebels. HTS leader Abu Muhammad al-Jolani also warned the Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani against allowing Iranian-backed forces to intervene in Syria.