Syrian rebels have made significant gains in their ongoing assault against the regime of Bashar al-Assad, with the capture of the key city of Homs on Saturday. Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, leader of the jihadist group Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS), claimed that the rebels freed 3,500 prisoners from an Assad-controlled prison in Homs as part of their offensive. The city’s capture is part of a broader military campaign, following the rebels’ control of cities like Aleppo and Hama, which strengthens their push towards Damascus, the capital.
Homs is strategically vital, located about 100 miles north of Damascus along the Orontes River, and serves as a critical link between Syria’s interior and the Mediterranean coast. The rebels’ swift success in taking Homs further weakens the Assad regime’s hold on central Syria. Following this victory, HTS forces have reportedly surrounded areas on the outskirts of Damascus, bringing the capital under increasing pressure. This advance suggests that the regime is facing imminent threats to its control of the city.
Syrian Rebels Capture Homs, Tighten Grip on Damascus in Growing Push Against Assad Regime
The Syrian military’s resistance appears to be rapidly diminishing. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that regime forces, including the 9th Division, have withdrawn from key areas, such as Daraa province and the Artouz region, located just a few miles from Damascus. These retreats have given the rebels a strategic advantage, with some observers noting that Assad’s forces seem unable to hold their ground. Damascus, now under siege, faces a growing challenge as rebel forces close in on the capital.
HTS and other opposition groups remain determined to press forward. An HTS spokesperson confirmed their intention to move towards Damascus, emphasizing that they are confronting not a traditional army but a militia. This rhetoric underscores the rebels’ belief in their momentum and their ability to capitalize on the regime’s weakening position. The situation in Damascus is dire, with Assad’s forces struggling to maintain control as the opposition closes in.
As the Assad regime faces increasing pressure, its allies, Russia and Iran, have signaled the need for dialogue. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov called for an immediate end to hostilities and the initiation of peace talks between the government and the “legitimate” opposition, referencing UN Security Council Resolution 2254 as the framework for a potential resolution. Meanwhile, Iran denied reports that Assad had fled to Russia, reaffirming its continued support for the regime despite the escalating conflict.
