Syrian insurgents have made significant advances in central Syria, entering two towns just north of the city of Homs. This development brings them closer to Syria's third-largest city, according to reports from an opposition war monitor and pro-government media.
The capture of Rastan and Talbiseh by opposition gunmen follows the recent takeover of the central city of Hama, Syria's fourth-largest city. The Syrian army reportedly withdrew from Hama to avoid civilian casualties, allowing opposition forces to seize control.
The insurgents, led by the jihadi group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), have expressed intentions to march towards Homs and Damascus, the seat of power for President Bashar Assad. Homs, a major intersection point between Damascus and Syria's coastal provinces, holds strategic importance due to its proximity to areas where Assad enjoys strong support.
Currently, insurgents are positioned just 5 kilometers away from Homs, as reported by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The Observatory's chief emphasized the significance of the upcoming battle for Homs in determining the future leadership of Syria.
Reports indicate that the insurgents entered Rastan and Talbiseh without facing resistance, with no immediate response from the Syrian military regarding their presence in the towns. Meanwhile, Syrian and Russian air forces have been conducting airstrikes on insurgents in Hama province, resulting in casualties among opposition fighters.
Following the fall of Hama, thousands of residents from Homs who support Assad were observed fleeing towards Damascus and the coastal region. Syria's defense minister described the withdrawal of government forces from Hama as a tactical move and pledged to reclaim lost territories from the insurgents, whom he labeled as Muslim extremists backed by foreign countries.
The offensive in central Syria is being led by HTS and the Syrian National Army, a coalition of Turkish-backed militias. Their recent gains, including the capture of Aleppo, have reignited the conflict in Syria, which had been relatively stagnant in recent years.
