Thousands of residents fled the central Syrian city of Homs overnight, as rebel forces continued their swift offensive against government troops, according to war monitors and local accounts.
The assault, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a faction formerly linked to al-Qaeda, aims to “rebuild Syria” and encourage refugees to return from Lebanon and Europe, said HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani in a CNN interview. This marked his first public statement since the offensive began on November 27.
The insurgents, operating out of their northwestern stronghold in Idlib, have captured key cities and are now advancing toward Homs, a critical hub linking Damascus to President Bashar al-Assad’s coastal territories. Their gains represent the most significant battlefield momentum in the 13-year Syrian civil war, which had long been marked by stagnant front lines.
Assad’s control over much of Syria has been sustained by support from allies Russia, Iran, and Lebanon’s Hezbollah. However, their focus has shifted to other crises, creating an opportunity for Syrian Sunni militants to regain ground.
In response, Hezbollah has deployed elite forces to bolster Assad’s defenses in Homs, according to Lebanese security sources and Syrian military officials. The move comes as Hezbollah faces its own challenges from ongoing clashes with Israel, including the loss of key leaders.
Meanwhile, the rebels claimed victories in the nearby towns of Talbisa and Rastan, positioning them within striking distance of Homs.
Adding to the tensions, the head of the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), Mazloum Abdi, warned of a resurgence of Islamic State (ISIS) activity in eastern Syria. “There is increased movement by ISIS mercenaries in the Syrian desert and the countryside of Deir al-Zor and al-Raqqa,” Abdi said at a press conference.
With renewed instability on multiple fronts, the Syrian conflict threatens to escalate, displacing more civilians and heightening regional security concerns.
