Syrian rebel forces are closing in on the strategic city of Homs, prompting thousands of residents to evacuate as the insurgents continue their rapid advance through government-held territory.
The rebel offensive, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), has already captured two towns on the outskirts of Homs, Syria's third-largest city. This latest push comes just days after opposition fighters seized control of Hama, the country's fourth-largest city.
Videos shared online show highways packed with civilians fleeing Homs toward coastal regions still under government control. The city holds major strategic value due to its location at the intersection of key routes connecting Damascus to Syria's coastal provinces of Latakia and Tartus, where President Bashar Assad maintains strong support.
The potential fall of Homs would mark another devastating setback for Assad's forces, who have shown limited resistance to the rebels' lightning advance over the past week. The city houses one of Syria's two state-run oil refineries and sits at crossroads bordering Lebanon, Iraq and Jordan.
HTS commanders claim their forces are advancing "at a steady pace" toward Homs. Military analysts note that capturing the city would clear a path for rebels to potentially march on Damascus, Assad's seat of power.
The Syrian government faces mounting pressure on multiple fronts, with U.S.-backed Kurdish forces seizing positions in the east while opposition protesters storm security installations in the southern Sweida province.
The rapid rebel gains have been attributed to HTS's military modernization efforts over recent years, including investments in drone technology and missile production. The group has also pursued diplomatic channels, negotiating with various factions to enable peaceful takeovers in some areas.
As the situation deteriorates, Russia's embassy in Damascus has advised its citizens about options to leave Syria through commercial flights, highlighting growing international concern about the stability of Assad's government.