Syria war escalates: Rebels conquer Hama and want to attack Homs!

Syria war escalates: Rebels conquer Hama and want to attack Homs!

Syrian forces are facing a growing threat after Islamist rebels captured major cities in recent days. Led by the militant group Haiat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the insurgents have captured the strategically important city of Hama after already taking control of the second largest city, Aleppo. Residents report fierce fighting between the regular army and the rebels, which are now concentrated in the third largest city of Homs. According to information from the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the rebels have also seized the northern outskirts of Homs and have advanced to within five kilometers of the city, which could further limit the government's military control srf.ch.

Flight of Assad's family and military withdrawals

In the midst of these fighting, the situation of ruler Bashar al-Assad has deteriorated dramatically. His wife Asma and their children have reportedly already fled to Russia, while Assad remains in Damascus and fights for power. Meanwhile, Syrian forces have decided to withdraw from Hama to protect civilians, further fueling the rebellion. Control of Homs could be crucial for the government to continue securing supplies from Iran to the Hezbollah militia in Lebanon. Military analysts fear that the loss of Homs could sever ties with the capital Damascus and Mediterranean ports oe24.at out of.

The current fighting is some of the toughest Syria has seen in years. According to the UN World Food Program, over 280,000 people have now been displaced and are dependent on humanitarian aid. The loud fighting and intense military activity in the region show how fragile the security situation in the country remains. The rebels' surprising advance has not only reignited fighting in Syria, but has also forced international actors such as Russia and Turkey to reconsider their strategies.