The war in Syria is intensifying as rebel forces close in on the strategic city of Homs, just three miles away, in what could be a decisive shift in the conflict. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported on Friday that regime soldiers have pulled back from nearby towns in the face of the advancing opposition. Despite airstrikes on vital infrastructure, including water supplies and highways, casualties have not been reported.
This rapid rebel advance has shocked many who thought the civil war had reached a prolonged stalemate after years of grinding conflict. Since launching a major offensive two weeks ago, rebels have captured several key cities, including Hama and Aleppo. The once unthinkable—overthrowing President Bashar al-Assad—is now back on the table for the rebel forces, led primarily by the group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). Although HTS has distanced itself from jihadist ideologies, its leader, Abu Mohammad al-Jawlani, reaffirmed that the ultimate goal remains to topple Assad’s regime.
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As the violence escalates, the humanitarian toll on civilians is catastrophic. Over 820 people have died since the rebellion intensified, including more than 100 civilians. Thousands have been forced to flee, overwhelming areas like Raqqa, which is controlled by U.S.-backed Kurdish forces. Refugees face unimaginable hardships, and despite international aid, shelters are inadequate, with schools and stadiums now housing displaced families.
The ongoing displacement is heart-wrenching. Families are being torn apart, with many civilians searching desperately for loved ones separated by the fighting. Saeed Muhammad Hassan, a man who fled from Aleppo, is among those desperately trying to reunite with his wife, Sabah, lost during the evacuation. The crisis continues to spiral as the conflict threatens to break Syria into even smaller pieces of destruction.
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