The rebels have launched a major offensive against the Syrian government, seizing cities and expanding the territory under their control in a surprise advance.
Rebels seized the city of Hama on Thursday, dealing a new blow to President Bashar al-Assad and his Russian and Iranian allies.
Capturing Hama would give the country control of the strategically located central city for the first time since the uprising against Assad led to civil war 13 years ago.
Russia, Syria’s main ally, has been carrying out airstrikes against rebels led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group, but it is unclear how Assad can halt advances that could threaten the government’s survival.
