Yeah the SAA heavily reinforced their positions in Hama to prevent it from falling, probably under the instructions of Russia and/or Iran.

Just going to provide warning, there are images of him being dead circulating online these images are either fake or not him, the ears don't match at all.

I think Russia and Iran told Syria that they have to make a stand and hold Hama at all costs, because of it's strategic importance and also to buy some time, so reinforcements can arrive.

Even worse, HTS is literally led by an ex Al Nusra/Al Qaeda guy. The SNA/FSA are the "moderate rebels".

They're literally supporting Al-Qaeda spinoffs, I don't understand it.

I hope the SAA decide to reinforce Hama, they desperately need to buy time for more Russian support to arrive.

Think it's more likely to be counterinsurgency operations by the SAA than a coup attempt. Insurgents that got in behind the frontlines in Aleppo were a big problem last night. Want to make sure that's not an issue in Damascus, that could cause a big issue.

like HTS is just sending small groups forward for propaganda shoots

They did that early last night, but with the current rate of advance it was no longer necessary for today's gains, and gains made late last night. They may do it again tonight in Hama and have probably started posting pictures already for propaganda purposes, but unless the SAA heavily reinforce their positions there, it's likely to fall within the next few hours. Reliable sources like Suriyakmaps have stated as much.

If it's with regards to Syria, no, the collapse of the SAA is just that bad.

Yes it happened last night. The rebels, led by HTS (an Al Nusra/Al-Qaeda splinter group) have also taken the airport in Aleppo, and are currently taking the city of Hama. Hama will likely fall within the next few hours, if it hasn't already.

The SAA have to regroup and hold ground somewhere, and they desperately need more air support (only Russia is providing this at the moment, and it's not enough, there needs to be an air campaign at the 2015-2016 level), and a way to counter the suicide and recon drones. Without that, this is just going to continue.

I was trying to temper expectations back then, warning that unrestricted Israeli air power would be able to inflict a huge amount of casualties to both Hezbollah and the civilian population of Lebanon, and that even though Hezbollah can match Israel on the ground, such a reality is unsustainable in terms of casualty rates and equipment losses, and that this conflict was of a different nature than 2006.

It does given the geographic nature of the city. Taking the citadel opens up the ability to launch offensives further eastwards, which the HTS led rebels have done, taking the airport, which went from SAA to SDF/YPG control, to now under rebel control with minimal fighting.

Al Nusra/Al-Qaeda spinoff group, currently leading the rebel offensive in Syria.

Also seen reports about the rebel drones operating over Hama, and the capture of the first settlements in the northern countryside, along with the loss of the airport in Aleppo. It's a catastrophe.

The Russian air force is currently bombing the city centre of Aleppo near the Governorate buildings, if the HTS weren't in control of that 8 hours ago, they are now.

According to Suriyakmaps, the Idlib Governorate is under complete rebel control, and the HTS led rebels are only 25km from Hama city... I hope the SAA manage to regroup at Hama, because otherwise it's looking really bad.

This attack on Aleppo during the night was quite sophisticated, with the use of both recon and suicide drones, as well as thermal and night vision devices by members of the HTS led coalition, along with rocket artillery and motars to make up for their lack of traditional artillery fire and lack of air support. A bunch of low morale SAA conscripts fighting against this during the night, when the command structure of the SAA collapse, puts them at a serious disadvantage against a side using drones and night vision/thermals. They were spotted training with such equipment earlier this year.

Even in this map the HTS control the head government buildings, city centre, and the citadel, with the SAA only in control of the northeastern and southeastern suburbs. Also, the airport appears to be under SDF/YPG control now. It is speculated that there is some sort of agreement between the SDF/YPG and the SAA, to try halt the HTS advance.

so my head canon reads “little red rodent” in Chinese

Thanks for the response