As antigovernment forces continue their rapid offensive across Syria, thousands of people have fled the city of Homs, seeking refuge along the western coast. This development was confirmed by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), a UK-based monitoring group, which reported that residents began evacuating overnight, heading towards areas still under the control of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s forces. The departure follows significant advances by rebel forces led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group.
Rebel forces advancing on Homs
Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the SOHR, stated on Friday that HTS fighters are now just 5 km (3 miles) from the outskirts of Homs city, having recently captured two key towns in the Homs governorate: Rastan and Talbiseh. The city of Homs, strategically located as a crossroads between Damascus and the coastal heartlands controlled by Assad, is a significant prize in the ongoing conflict.
The recent rebel gains come after HTS and allied fighters captured Hama, located 46 km (29 miles) north of Homs, on Thursday. This follows their earlier seizure of Aleppo, Syria’s second-largest city, from government forces, marking a notable shift in the war’s momentum.
Bridge on M5 highway connecting Hama to Homs destroyed
Samer AbdelJaber, head of emergency coordination at the UN’s World Food Programme, highlighted the worsening humanitarian situation. He confirmed that renewed fighting in Syria has displaced approximately 280,000 people in the past week, with the potential for this number to rise dramatically, possibly reaching up to 1.5 million.
In response to these developments, a Syrian army officer reported that Russian airstrikes had targeted and destroyed the Rastan bridge, a crucial link along the M5 highway connecting Hama to Homs. The bridge, located on the Homs side, had been used by both rebels and government forces in the region.
Israeli airstrikes on Syria-Lebanon border crossings
Amid the ongoing conflict, Israeli forces launched airstrikes targeting two border crossings between Syria and Lebanon: Arida and Jousiyeh. These crossings, crucial for access to Homs, were struck in an operation confirmed by both Syrian state news agency SANA and the Israeli military. Israel claimed that the airstrikes were aimed at weapons transfer hubs and infrastructure used by Hezbollah, the Lebanese militia that has pledged its support to Assad’s government.
As rebel forces continue their push south, military commanders from the opposition confirmed the deployment of additional fighters to the Homs region. Rebel leader Hassan Abdel Ghani stated via Telegram that “hundreds” of fighters are en route to the city. Meanwhile, the Syrian Ministry of Defence reported ongoing military actions in Hama governorate, targeting rebel vehicles and gatherings with the support of joint Syrian-Russian warplanes.
Historical context of Homs
Homs, once known as the “capital of the revolution” due to its prominence during the early stages of Syria’s uprising in 2011, was retaken by the Syrian government in 2014 after a brutal siege and heavy bombardment. The city has a history of sectarian violence, including attacks on its Alawite community, with at least 100 people killed in assaults attributed to the al-Nusra Front, a precursor to HTS with ties to al-Qaeda.
As the situation in Homs continues to evolve, Syrian Foreign Minister Bassam Sabbagh held discussions with his Iraqi and Iranian counterparts in Baghdad on Friday. According to reports, senior Iranian official revealed that Tehran plans to increase its military support for Assad by sending additional missiles, drones, and military advisors to Syria, reinforcing its commitment to the Syrian government.
With the conflict intensifying and key cities like Homs and Deir ez-Zor changing hands, the future of Syria remains uncertain, with significant regional and international implications.
Also Read: Iran To Send Missiles, Drones, And Military Advisors To Syria Amid Rising Rebel Gains
