Syrian rebels claim they have seized most of the south as their lightning offensive threatens to end President Bashar al Assad’s 24-year rule.
Government forces – long propped up by Russia and Iran – have crumbled across the country with insurgents seizing a number of major cities.
After capturing Aleppo in the north, Hama in the centre, Deir el Zor in the east, Suweida, Quneitra and Deraa in the south, rebels said they are now around 30 miles (50km) from the capital Damascus – and are closing in.
Regime troops have focused on Homs to shore up a western city considered to be strategically located and key to the defence of Mr Assad.
Meanwhile, the rebels have extended their hold to almost the entire southwest, and have said they have taken Sanamayn on the main road from Damascus to Jordan.
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Jonathan Landis, a Syria specialist at the University of Oklahoma, said Homs is the “key” – and rebels have said they are “at the walls” after seizing the last village north of the city.
Taking Homs would cut off Damascus from the coastal stronghold of Mr Assad’s minority Alawite sect and from Russian bases.
Inside the city, a resident said the situation was more tense on Friday with the sound of airstrikes and gunfire, while pro-Assad militia groups set up checkpoints.
Mr Assad’s allies Iran and Russia, and Turkey – the main foreign supporter of the rebels – are meeting on Saturday to discuss the crisis.
Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said the three countries want an end to the fighting, adding it is “inadmissible” for “terrorist groups” to take control of Syrian lands.
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With Russia focusing on Ukraine, Iran tied up with Israel’s war on Gaza and bombardment of its proxy Hezbollah in Lebanon, Syria’s army has been left exposed.
Iran-backed Iraqi militias are on high alert, many of them have amassed near the border – but no order has been given to cross, according to two of their commanders.
Rebel forces have called on those loyal to the Assad regime to defect.
Syria’s civil war, which began in 2011 as an uprising against Mr Assad’s rule, has dragged in big outside powers and forced millions to seek refuge in neighbouring states.
Source : Sky News
