In a significant development in Syria’s ongoing conflict, rebels have seized control of Hama and demolished a statue of Hafez al-Assad, the late father of current President Bashar al-Assad. The Islamist militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, led by Abu Mohammed al-Jawlani, announced victory and released prisoners from central Hama’s prison amid intense fighting. This marks a crucial moment as the military has redeployed troops away from the city, following recent rebel advances in nearby Aleppo.