Why Is Homs Called The Syria’s Revolution Capital?

Aleppo, Hama, Syrian Opposition Forces, Homs, Syria, Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, HTS, Bashar al-Assad,

Tens of thousands of residents are fleeing Homs, Syria’s third-largest city, as rebel forces make significant advances. The evacuation follows the rebels’ recent capture of Hama, north of Homs, marking another critical blow to President Bashar al-Assad’s government. Just days earlier, the rebels seized control of Aleppo, signaling a swift and coordinated offensive against the regime.

Abu Mohammed al-Jawlani, leader of the Islamist militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), declared ominously to Homs residents: “Your time has come.” Rebel forces have been advancing southward, with Homs poised as the next target on their path to the capital, Damascus.

Rapid gains in a prolonged war

This offensive marks the most rapid battlefield gains by any side in the 13-year Syrian civil war, exposing vulnerabilities within Assad’s military. Panic grips members of the president’s Alawite minority community in Homs, with videos showing congested roads as families rush to escape.

After losing Hama, the military’s ability to defend Homs remains uncertain. The city holds immense strategic significance, linking Damascus to the Alawite stronghold on the Mediterranean coast. The Alawite community, a minority sect of Shia Islam, forms the backbone of Assad’s regime.

Will allies’ assistance help Assad as Homs is on the brink of fall?

President Assad has vowed to “crush” the rebellion, accusing Western nations of seeking to redraw the regional map. However, analysts highlight that government forces are demoralized, plagued by corruption, and suffering from low pay. State media reported Assad recently announced a 50% pay raise for military personnel.

Key allies Russia and Iran continue to voice support for Assad, but their military assistance has waned. Moscow has even advised Russian nationals to leave Syria, signaling shifting dynamics in the conflict.

Strategic and historical importance of Homs

Homs has long been important due to its geographic, strategic, and economic significance. Nestled in a fertile agricultural region along the Orontes River valley, it sits at the eastern end of the Homs Gap, the only natural gateway from Syria’s Mediterranean coast to its interior. The city also lies roughly midway between Damascus and Aleppo, near the Lebanese border.

With a history stretching back to the 1st millennium BCE, Homs gained prominence during the Roman era as Emesa, a vital trade hub. Under Byzantine rule, it became a center of Christianity. The city remains home to a significant Christian population alongside Sunni Muslims and Alawites.

Early flashpoint in the Syrian uprising

Homs was a flashpoint early in the Syrian uprising, with anti-government protests erupting in March 2011. Despite brutal crackdowns, demonstrations grew, and opposition forces eventually took up arms. By 2012, fierce street battles in districts like Baba Amr drew global attention.

In February 2012, the Syrian military launched a devastating operation against Homs, including heavy bombardment of Baba Amr, leaving it in ruins. The assault killed an estimated 700 people, mostly civilians. Although the government claimed to target “armed terrorist gangs,” indiscriminate shelling caused widespread casualties.

Relentless bombardment and severe shortages of food

By early 2014, thousands of civilians remained trapped in the Old City of Homs, enduring relentless bombardment and severe shortages of food and medical supplies. A UN-brokered ceasefire in February 2014 allowed the evacuation of 1,400 civilians and limited aid delivery. However, hundreds of men and boys were detained upon evacuation.

The rebel holdout in the Old City ended in May 2014 after months of UN-mediated negotiations.

In December 2015, rebels began leaving al-Wair, the last opposition-controlled area of Homs, under a similar deal. These agreements underscored the divided and desperate situation among opposition groups, with some factions even resorting to suicide bombings in failed attempts to break government sieges.

Also Read: After Aleppo And Hama, Syrian Opposition Forces Reach Homs; Thousands Flee The City