In a significant escalation of conflict in Syria, Islamist-led rebel forces have made rapid advances towards the city of Homs, capturing two strategically important towns, Rastan and Talbisseh. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, these gains have positioned the rebels just five kilometers from Homs, Syria’s third-largest city. The capture of Homs is seen as a critical objective as it would enable the rebels to disrupt the primary supply route leading to the coastal areas controlled by President Bashar al-Assad’s Alawite minority.
The recent developments follow a series of strategic victories for the rebel factions, including the capture of Hama, which occurred just one day prior to the advances towards Homs. Military commander Hassan Abdel Ghani has expressed confidence in the rebels’ momentum, stating that their forces are making steady progress towards the city and have mobilized “hundreds” of fighters who had previously been displaced during government offensives in the region.
Homs has a historical significance in the Syrian uprising, having been referred to as the “capital of the revolution” due to its role in early protests against the Assad regime in March 2011. The city experienced intense fighting in the early years of the conflict, ultimately falling back under government control in 2014 following a settlement deal that allowed rebel fighters to withdraw from the devastated Old City after prolonged sieges and bombardments.
The situation in Homs has remained complex, with periods of relative calm interrupted by violence, including targeted attacks against the Alawite community. A notable incident occurred in April 2014, when twin bombings in a predominantly Alawite neighborhood resulted in significant civilian casualties. These assaults were claimed by the Al-Nusra Front, the former Syrian affiliate of Al-Qaeda, which is now part of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).
As the rebel offensive intensifies, reports indicate that tens of thousands of Alawite residents are fleeing towards the coast in anticipation of further violence, adding to the humanitarian crisis in the region. The developments mark a critical juncture in the ongoing Syrian conflict, as rebel factions push closer to reclaim territory lost in previous years and the dynamics of power in the country continue to shift amidst ongoing turmoil.
