Hama

Hama is a city in Syria with a history of opposition to the al-Assad regime. It gained notoriety due to the 1982 Hama massacre, where Rifaat al-Assad, brother of then-President Hafez al-Assad, commanded forces that killed tens of thousands of civilians during an uprising. Rifaat al-Assad's death in January 2026 has brought renewed attention to this event and his legacy as the 'Butcher of Hama'. More recently, Hama is newsworthy because its residents celebrated the first anniversary of their liberation from forces loyal to Bashar al-Assad, who was ousted in 2024. These celebrations, marked by large gatherings and calls for justice, highlight Hama's significance as a symbol of resistance against the al-Assad regime and its hopes for a new future in Syria.