Thousands Flee Syria's Homs as Opposition Forces Advance: Monitor

Opposition forces, spearheaded by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, are pressing forward in their advance toward the city of Homs.

Thousands Flee Homs as Opposition Forces Advance Amid Renewed Fighting

Thousands of residents have fled the Syrian city of Homs as opposition forces, led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) armed group, push southward toward Damascus, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR).

The SOHR reported that the exodus began overnight as residents sought safety along Syria’s western coast, where President Bashar al-Assad retains control. Opposition fighters have advanced to within 5 kilometers (3 miles) of Homs after capturing the towns of Rastan and Talbiseh in Homs governorate.

Strategic City Under Threat

Homs is a critical junction connecting Damascus to Assad's strongholds along the Mediterranean coast. Its proximity to recently captured territories, including Hama, intensifies its strategic importance. Hama, 46 kilometers (29 miles) north of Homs, fell to HTS and allied fighters on Thursday, following their takeover of Aleppo earlier in the week.

Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the UK-based SOHR, emphasized the rapid rebel advance. Syrian army officials confirmed Russian airstrikes targeting infrastructure, including the destruction of the Rastan bridge on the M5 highway linking Hama and Homs.

The United Nations has expressed alarm over the escalating humanitarian crisis. Samer AbdelJaber, of the World Food Programme, reported that the renewed conflict has displaced approximately 280,000 people within a week. He warned that the number could rise to 1.5 million if the fighting continues.

Israeli Airstrikes and Regional Dynamics

Amid the chaos, Israel launched airstrikes on two key border crossings between Syria and Lebanon, hitting the Syrian side of the Arida and Jousiyeh crossings. Lebanon’s Transport Minister, Ali Hamieh, confirmed the significance of these routes to Homs governorate.

The Israeli military stated the strikes targeted weapons transfer hubs and infrastructure used by Hezbollah, a Lebanese group allied with Assad. Hezbollah has pledged its support for the Syrian government, claiming to have deployed forces to the Homs front.

Rebel Momentum and Government Response

Rebel commander Hassan Abdel Ghani announced via Telegram that hundreds of fighters were moving toward Homs. The Syrian Ministry of Defence responded, stating that joint Syrian-Russian warplanes were targeting "terrorist gatherings" in Hama governorate.

In a surprise development, SOHR reported the sudden withdrawal of Syrian troops from eastern Deir ez-Zor city. Columns of soldiers were seen moving toward Palmyra, located east of Homs and northeast of Damascus. Deir ez-Zor, a region rich in oil resources, remains divided between US-supported Kurdish forces and Iran-backed Syrian government units.

The Tumultuous History of Homs
Homs, often referred to as the "capital of the revolution" during the 2011 uprising, served as a focal point for widespread protests against the Syrian government. Following years of intense siege and heavy bombardment, the city fell under government control in 2014. Over the years, Homs has also been marred by sectarian violence, including attacks targeting its Alawite community. Notably, more than 100 people were killed in assaults attributed to the al-Nusra Front, a precursor to the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group.

International Implications

As the rebel advance on Homs continues, diplomatic activity intensifies. Syrian Foreign Minister Bassam Sabbagh met with Iraqi and Iranian counterparts in Baghdad to discuss regional security.

An Iranian official told Reuters that Tehran would escalate its support for Assad by sending drones, missiles, and additional military advisers. This highlights the broader geopolitical stakes as regional powers respond to shifting dynamics on the ground.

The situation in Homs underscores the relentless human and political toll of Syria’s ongoing conflict, with no immediate resolution in sight.