Tens of thousands escape the epicenter of the war along with the Syrian public, which is Homs the third-largest city of Syria, as rebel groups are closing in following a swift and strategic advance. Residents face growing fear as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) leader Abu Mohammed al-Jawlani declared, “Your time has come. The offensive, which began last week, has already claimed Aleppo and Hama, leaving the Syrian military struggling to defend key territories.
The rebel’s speedy advances served as a demonstration of the tenuous condition of President Bashar al-Assad’s army. Videos capture scenes of panicked Alawite communities, a key constituency of Assad, streaming onto the streets in what looks like a mass exodus fleeing Homs. Their anxiety arises from the strategic importance of the city in bridging Damascus to the Alawite enclave on the Mediterranean seaboard.
Ten of thousands flee third-largest city of Syria, rebels advance through towns like Rastan and Talbisseh
Fleeing Syria’s third-largest city, many civilians fear what lies ahead as the rebels reportedly push through towns like Rastan and Talbisseh, now just 5 kilometers from Homs. The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights has confirmed the rebels’ advance, but specifics about the situation are unclear. Russian warplanes have struck a bridge in Rastan as part of a strategy to stop the advance.
The collapse of Homs would be a significant setback for Assad, who has pledged to “smash” the insurgency but is wrestling with internal military problems, such as insubordination and demoralization. His recent 50% pay raise for soldiers underscores the dire state of his forces. Meanwhile, Moscow and Tehran, Assad’s key allies, continue to voice support but have reduced active military involvement.
Leaving Syria’s third civilian city is accompanied by reports of Hezbollah’s diminished southward deployments, lessening the power of Assad to enforce land control. Analysts have been suggesting that Turkey, an adherent to some of the rebel groups, must have tolerated the offensive. President Erdogan has publicly endorsed the push, criticizing Assad for failing to engage politically with the opposition.
Although HTS official al-Jawlani has tried to come across as less radical, his party’s progress has aroused fears among minority groups. Discussions among Russian, Iranian, and Turkish officials over the weekend could set the scene for the next phase of the Syrian civil war.
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