Rebels in Syria took control of the city of Homs and targeted Damascus
Syrian rebels capture Homs (Illustrative photo: Getty Images)
Syrian rebels, during their advance, have entered Homs and declared full control over the city. Now, the armed opponents of President Bashar al-Assad's regime are planning to move toward the country's capital, Damascus, reports Reuters.
The rebel groups in Syria gained control of Homs on Sunday, just one day after intense fighting.
According to Western media reports, thousands of residents took to the streets after Assad's forces (Syrian Arab Army, SAA) withdrew from the city center, celebrating the arrival of the rebels. In the city, young people tore down posters of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
With the capture of Homs, the rebels now control a strategic center in Syria and a key crossroads linking Damascus with the coastal areas still held by Assad, where his Russian allies maintain a naval base and an airbase.
According to the leader of the rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (translated as Levant Liberation Organization), Abu Mohammed al-Golani, the capture of Homs was a historic moment. He also urged his fighters not to harm those who lay down their arms.
The rebels liberated thousands of prisoners from Homs' city prison. During their escape, the authorities burned the prisoners' documents.
Analysts suggest that the battle for control of the country is likely to take place in the capital. Meanwhile, Reuters notes that on Saturday, residents of several neighborhoods in Damascus took to the streets in protests against Assad, and security forces either didn't want to or couldn't suppress the demonstrations.
On Sunday, Syrian rebel commander Hassan Abdul Ghani stated that operations to fully liberate the rural areas around Damascus were ongoing, and fighters were preparing for a march on the capital.
What is happening in Syria now
As reported earlier, on December 7, a statue of Bashar al-Assad's late father, former president Hafez al-Assad, was toppled and shattered in a suburb of Damascus.
Additionally, on Saturday, Syrian rebels announced that they were attempting to encircle the capital.
The Syrian army claims that it is fortifying positions around Damascus, while state television reported on Saturday that Assad remained in the city. However, Western media sources suggested that Syrian President Assad had likely fled the capital.
According to Bloomberg, Assad allegedly reached out through intermediaries to request assistance from the US and Donald Trump, in an attempt to either remain in power or secure an agreement for a safe exile if necessary.
It was also reported that the Biden administration believes Assad's regime could collapse in a matter of days, given the rapid advance of the rebels.
