The Syrian conflict just got a whole lot more intense! 🔥 On Friday, Syrian government forces launched a major offensive in the northern countryside of Homs Province, backed by Russian air support. The operation targeted opposition-held areas around the towns of al-Dar al-Kabira, Talbiseh, and al-Rastan.
According to the Syrian Ministry of Defense, dozens of \"terrorists\" were eliminated, and a large number of their vehicles and weapons were destroyed. The offensive caused panic and confusion among opposition ranks, leading to a mass retreat.
As the military pushed forward, the governor of Homs, Nimr Makhlouf, took to the streets with the city's police chief, paying late-night visits to bakeries in central Homs. Talk about dedication! 🥖 He urged them to keep the ovens running to ensure a steady supply of bread, aiming to reassure civilians amidst the chaos.
But that's not all—while the government forces were on the move, rebels were making big gains elsewhere. In Syria's southern Daraa Province, heavy clashes broke out as local armed groups seized multiple government-held positions. By late Friday, opposition fighters claimed control of Daraa City, the provincial capital. 😲
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that armed groups now control about 80% of Daraa Province. Meanwhile, in the southern city of Sweida, local armed groups took control of the city's police headquarters and several other security compounds, all without a direct confrontation. Videos online showed police officers peacefully leaving their stations.
Despite the absence of large-scale clashes in Sweida, intermittent gunfire echoed through the streets, prompting a curfew and shuttered shops. A member of one of the armed groups said the security situation remained fragile.
Over in Hama, Syria's fourth-largest city, rebel groups captured the city after seizing Aleppo and all of Idlib Province in the north. The stakes are getting higher, and the map is changing fast! 🗺️
With the escalating conflict, neighboring countries are on high alert. Both Lebanon and Israel have stationed troops along their borders with Syria, fearing the spillover of violence.
On the diplomatic front, Syrian Foreign Minister Bassam Sabbagh met with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani in Baghdad. Al-Sudani emphasized Iraq's efforts to maintain security in Syria, highlighting that stability there is crucial for the entire region. He also called on neighboring Arab nations to coordinate efforts in addressing these regional challenges.
The situation in Syria is evolving rapidly, and it's anyone's guess what will happen next. Stay tuned as we keep you updated on this developing story! 📢
Reference(s):
Syrian forces launch offensive in Homs, as rebels seize more land
cgtn.com
