Islamist rebels advance in Syria

Assad sends reinforcements to halt militants' march to Hama

The Syrian military rushed reinforcements Sunday to counter insurgents advancing in northern Hama after capturing Aleppo and nearby strategic locations in a surprise offensive. Russia carried out airstrikes as rebel forces pushed south, according to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR). Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an Islamist militant group, and allied factions backed by Turkey launched the offensive Wednesday. By Saturday, they had seized most of Aleppo and claimed to have entered Hama, though this remains unconfirmed. Rebel commander Col. Hassan Abdulghani stated that insurgents also took control of Sheikh Najjar Industrial City, Aleppo's military academy, and the field artillery college.