In a significant escalation of the Syrian conflict, government forces, backed by Russian air support, launched a major offensive in the northern countryside of Homs Province on Friday. Targeting opposition-held areas around the towns of al-Dar al-Kabira, Talbiseh, and al-Rastan, the operation resulted in the destruction of numerous opposition vehicles and weapons.
The Syrian Ministry of Defense reported that dozens of \"terrorists\" were killed during the \"special operation,\" which also triggered panic and confusion among opposition ranks, leading to mass retreats. Amid the military push, Homs Governor Nimr Makhlouf, along with the city's police chief, conducted a late-night tour of local bakeries to ensure a steady bread supply, aiming to reassure civilians amidst the unrest.
Meanwhile, the southern province of Daraa witnessed intense clashes as armed groups seized multiple government-held positions. Syrian opposition fighters declared control over Daraa City, the provincial capital, with the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights stating that about 80 percent of the province is now under opposition control.
In Sweida, local armed groups took over the police headquarters and several security compounds without direct confrontation. Reports indicate that approximately 70 percent of Sweida is now controlled by these groups, despite intermittent gunfire and the imposition of curfews to maintain order.
The conflict's broader implications have led neighboring countries Lebanon and Israel to deploy troops along their Syrian borders, wary of violence spillover. On the diplomatic front, Syrian Foreign Minister Bassam Sabbagh met with Iraqi leaders in Baghdad to discuss regional security and coordinate efforts among Arab nations to address the ongoing developments in Syria.
Adding to the shifting dynamics, rebel groups recently captured the city of Hama, Syria's fourth-largest city, following their takeover of Aleppo and all of Idlib Province in northern Syria. These developments signify a rapidly evolving situation, with both government and opposition forces vying for control across key regions.
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Syrian forces launch offensive in Homs, as rebels seize more land
cgtn.com
