Syrian Insurgents Claim Seizure of Homs

The leader of the Islamist faction spearheading an uprising in Syria asserts his forces have gained complete command of Homs – the nation’s third-largest city. Abu Mohammed al-Golani referred to it as a “historic victory” and implored his adherents not to harm those who surrendered. The BBC has not yet been able to verify these assertions. The Syrian Ministry of Defence stated these accounts were untrue and that the conditions in Homs were “stable and safe”. Concurrently, insurgent groups are reportedly advancing on Damascus, as the Syrian military states it is increasing its troop presence around the capital. As per the UK-based conflict observer, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), combatants opposing Assad entered the city of Homs and “took control of several neighbourhoods”. Rebel commander Hasan Abdul Ghani declared the “complete liberation” of Homs and posted on X that upwards of 3,500 prisoners had been released from confinement. Should the city fall to insurgent groups, it would represent another significant setback for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, as it would isolate Damascus, severing its connection from the coastal region vital to his family’s minority Alawite sect. Additionally, it would signify a symbolic triumph, given that Homs functioned as a primary base for the opposition during the initial stages of the civil conflict, which commenced in 2011. Ghani stated that endeavors persisted to “liberate the entire Damascus countryside, and our eyes are watching the capital, Damascus”. An anonymous American official informed CBS News, the BBC’s US affiliate, that the capital appeared to be “falling suburb by suburb to the rebels”. Social media videos displayed protestors chanting and celebrating as a monument to President Assad’s deceased father, Hafez al-Assad, was brought down in the southern suburb of Jeramana. Inhabitants of Damascus interviewed by the BBC conveyed the prevailing uncertainty there. “We are afraid because we really don’t know what’s going to happen,” journalist Zaina Shahla commented. “Nobody wants to see fighting in Damascus.” Rim Turkmani, who directs the Syria Conflict Research Programme at the London School of Economics, mentioned her sister remained in the city and had indicated that provisions were scarce and cash dispensers were depleted. The president’s current location is a matter of conjecture, with theories proposing he might have departed the nation. His administration has refuted all such accounts, asserting Assad continues his duties in Damascus – yet he has not been seen. News of insurgents gaining command of Homs emerges slightly over a week after their rapid assault began – an operation representing the most significant challenge to the Syrian government in years, thereby revealing the military’s vulnerabilities. The administration has also relinquished authority over the northern urban centers of Hama and Aleppo, while armed factions in the southern region claim to have secured Deraa and Suweida, situated near the Jordanian frontier. The SOHR estimates that over 800 individuals have perished in the conflict. The United Nations reports that a minimum of 370,000 people have been displaced to date – including numerous Alawites, who are escaping the insurgent advance. The UN also stated the hostilities were “worsening an already horrific situation for civilians in the north of the country”. Geir Pederson, the UN’s special representative for Syria, informed the BBC on Saturday that he maintained hope for a diplomatic resolution to Syria’s worsening crisis, but cautioned that the situation could once again deteriorate severely within Syria. Pederson indicated that several nations were communicating with the insurgents and had emphasized the imperative to prevent disorder and violence. His remarks followed a gathering in Qatar attended by delegates from five Arab states, alongside Iran, Turkey, and Russia – the three principal external powers engaged in Syria. Through a collective declaration, the assembly asserted that the ongoing crisis presented a danger to both regional and global security. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for material on external websites. Information regarding our policy on external links is available.