Syrian insurgents near Homs/ Homs conflict updates/ Assad government crisis/ Syrian civil war 2024/ Hayat Tahrir al-Sham offensive/ Homs economic collapse/ Newslooks/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Syrian insurgents have seized two towns near Homs, positioning themselves for a potential assault on Syria’s third-largest city. The sudden advances, including the capture of Hama earlier, have triggered mass evacuations and deepened Syria’s economic crisis, further threatening President Bashar Assad’s hold on power.
Syrian Rebels Close In on Homs: Quick Looks
- Strategic Threat: Insurgents capture Rastan and Talbiseh, just 5 km from Homs.
- Hama Falls: Rebel advances follow the capture of Syria’s fourth-largest city.
- Mass Exodus: Thousands flee Homs, many loyal to Assad’s Alawite sect.
- Economic Collapse: Syrian currency hits record lows amid ongoing conflict.
- International Concerns: Regional powers, including Turkey, weigh in on escalating tensions.
Syrian Insurgents Near Homs, Thousands Flee Amid Offensive
Deep Look
Syrian insurgents led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) advanced Friday to within 5 kilometers of Homs, Syria’s third-largest city. Their seizure of the nearby towns of Rastan and Talbiseh caps a week of rapid gains that has thrown President Bashar Assad’s government into crisis.
Strategic Importance of Homs
Homs is a vital intersection linking Damascus, Syria’s capital, to its coastal provinces of Latakia and Tartus, strongholds of Assad’s Alawite sect. Its loss would significantly weaken Assad’s ability to govern and secure critical regions.
“The battle of Homs is the mother of all battles and will decide who will rule Syria,” said Rami Abdurrahman, chief of the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
Mass Exodus and Economic Woes
As insurgents approached, thousands of civilians, particularly Assad loyalists, fled Homs. Videos showed highways jammed with cars, while residents in Damascus rushed to stockpile food amid fears of further escalation.
Syria’s economy, already ravaged by years of war, Western sanctions, and Lebanon’s financial meltdown, took another hit. The Syrian pound plunged 25% in a week, with the U.S. dollar trading at 18,000 pounds on the parallel market—compared to 47 pounds before the conflict began in 2011.
Military Withdrawals and Tactical Retreats
The Syrian military’s retreat from Hama and nearby towns marks a significant shift in the conflict. State media portrayed the pullback as a “temporary tactical measure,” with troops repositioning at Hama’s gates and reinforcing Homs.
“We are in a good position on the ground,” said Defense Minister Gen. Ali Mahmoud Abbas.
Despite airstrikes from Syrian and Russian forces reportedly killing dozens of insurgents, there has been no cohesive counteroffensive.
Rebels’ Rapid Advances
HTS, a jihadi group, leads the offensive with support from Turkish-backed Syrian National Army militias. The rebels began their campaign by capturing Aleppo, Syria’s largest city, followed by Hama. These victories have reignited a conflict that had been largely stalemated for years.
The insurgents vow to push further, with Damascus as their ultimate target.
Regional and International Reactions
The developments have drawn concern from Syria’s allies and neighboring countries.
- Baghdad Meeting: The foreign ministers of Iran, Iraq, and Syria convened in Baghdad to address the crisis. Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein called the situation a “serious threat to regional security.”
- Turkey’s Position: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan voiced unease but welcomed the lack of clashes or civilian harm during the advances. Erdogan blamed Assad for failing to engage in dialogue with Turkey, saying, “We had made a call to Assad… Unfortunately, we could not get a positive response.”
What’s Next for Homs and Syria?
The insurgents’ rapid progress has shifted the dynamics of Syria’s protracted civil war. While Assad retains support from Russia and Iran, his government faces immense challenges from economic collapse, declining military morale, and growing territorial losses.
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