The Syrian forces of dictator Bashar al-Assad have announced they are abandoning the city of Hama, the fourth-largest in the country. After the fall of Aleppo, Assad's forces, supported by Russia, collapsed in the northwest of the country, paving the way for the rapid advance of rebel and jihadist forces. If Hama's fall is confirmed, the path will be open for Homs, the third-largest Syrian city.