Syrian rebels capture second major city after military withdraws | BBC News

Syrian rebels say they have taken control of the major city of Hama, after the military withdrew its troops amid fierce battles.

The leader of the Islamist militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, Abu Mohammed al-Jawlani, declared "victory" in the city and vowed there would be "no revenge".

Earlier, a rebel commander said HTS fighters and their allies had taken over a prison and released inmates.

The military said it had redeployed troops to "preserve civilian lives and prevent urban combat".