Syrian rebels stormed into the city of Hama on Thursday as government forces withdrewowl game, bringing the rebels one step closer to the capital Damascus, the seat of power of President Bashar al-Assad.

The swift advance on Hama, one of Syria’s largest cities, and the retreat of government forces were confirmed by both the rebels and the government. The advance came just days after the rebels extended their control over Aleppo, a major hub in northern Syria.

In a video circulated by the rebel group leading the offensive, their leader, Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, jubilantly calls for the rebels to push on toward other Syrian cities, including the capital.

“The people of Homs, prepare yourselves,” he said in the video, which his group said was filmed on Wednesday. “The people of Damascus, the people of Dara’a, the people of Deir al Zour. Victory for all, God willing.” The New York Times could not independently confirm the authenticity of the video or when it was filmed.

The sudden rebel advance has shifted the front lines in Syria’s 13-year-old civil war for the first time in years, adding a new layer of unpredictability to a conflict that has ravaged the country, opened voids exploited by jihadist groups, drawn in world powers including Russia and the United States and created a long-term refugee crisis for neighboring countries.

Hama is one of the few major Syrian cities where rebels had yet to seize significant control during the civil war, which began with a popular uprising aimed at ousting Mr. al-Assad in 2011.

Turkish army

and Syrian

opposition

Joint control with

Syrian government

TURKEY

Kurdish

forces

Aleppo

Raqqa

Rebels

Advances

since November

Hama

IRAQ

Homs

Syrian government

LEB.

Damascus

Syrian opposition

(U.S.-backed)

JORDAN

50 MILES

Turkish army

and Syrian

opposition

Joint control with

Syrian government

TURKEY

Aleppo

Kurdish forces

Raqqa

Rebels

Latakia

SYRIA

Hama

Advances

since November

Homs

IRAQ

Syrian government

LEBANON

Damascus

50 MILES

Syrian opposition

(U.S.-backed)

JORDAN

Note: Areas of control are approximate. Advance since late Nov. shown as of Dec. 5.

Sources: Institute for the Study of War and AEI's Critical Threats Project (areas of control); Janes (rebel control as of November)

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