Syria's Rebel Alliance Targets Homs in Latest Offensive Against Assad
Following their advance in Aleppo and Hama, the rebel alliance in Syria has announced plans to attack the country’s third-largest city, Homs. "Our heroic people in Homs, your time has come!" declared a commander of the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) on social media. The ongoing offensive is described as a revolution against injustice and tyranny, referring to the rule of Syria’s president, Bashar al-Assad.
The rebels recently captured Hama, a strategic location situated between Aleppo in the north and Homs further south, after several days of intense fighting with government troops. The Assad government’s army confirmed on Thursday that it had withdrawn from Hama after heavy clashes. In what could be seen as a major blow to the regime, the rebels claimed they had freed hundreds of prisoners from the central prison in Hama, many of whom had been detained since the civil war began in 2011, according to Rami Abdel-Rahman, head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
The potential capture of Homs poses a significant threat to the Assad regime, as it would cut off the capital, Damascus, from access to the Mediterranean. Reports indicate that government-allied fighters have already established defensive lines around Homs and have begun conscripting young Syrians for combat duties in the state army. Homs is strategically located about a half-hour's drive from the Lebanese border.
According to the US Institute for the Study of War (ISW), maintaining control over Homs is vital for the government’s ability to facilitate Iranian shipments to the Hezbollah militia in Lebanon. Homs serves as a key access point to several border crossings into the neighboring country. However, uncertainties linger regarding whether the rebel forces have sufficient manpower to successfully capture Homs, which boasts a population of approximately 1.4 million.
A successful operation by the rebels would also sever the vital connection between Damascus and Syria’s Mediterranean ports, adding to the regime's isolation. Military sources reported that the battles for Hama witnessed some of the fiercest fighting seen in years, instilling fear and uncertainty among local residents. "Everyone is living in a state of fear and concern," remarked a Hama resident to the German Press Agency.
As the situation develops, both sides appear to be bracing for further intensification of conflict, with the outcome of the Homs offensive potentially shaping the course of the Syrian civil war.
Related Sources: