Publish: 16:07, 06 Dec, 2024

Thousands flee Syrian city Homs as rebels advance further

Online Desk
Thousands flee Syrian city Homs as rebels advance further
Photo - Collected

Tens of thousands of people are fleeing Syria's third-largest city Homs in fear that Islamist-led rebels will continue to advance towards the capital, Damascus.

The rebels seized Hama to the north on Thursday, a second major blow to President Bashar al Assad who lost control of Aleppo last week. 

The leader of the militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), Abu Mohammed al-Jawlani, told residents of Homs "your time has come".

Syrian rebels launched a surprise offensive against the government last week and have so far captured two major cities, reports BBC. 

They have been advancing south - and Homs is the next city on the road from Aleppo to Damascus.

Terrified members of President Assad's Alawite minority community are leaving Homs, with video footage showing roads jammed with cars.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), a UK-based monitoring group, is reporting that fighter jets have targeted a bridge on a road linking Homs and Hama to try to slow the rebels' advance.

After the Syrian military lost control of Hama following days of fighting, it is not clear whether it will be able to defend Homs.

It is a strategic city linking the capital to the Alawite heartland on the Mediterranean coast, Assad's political stronghold and key to his grip on power.

More than half a million people have been killed since a civil war erupted in 2011 after Assad's government cracked down violently on peaceful pro-democracy protests.

The rebel offensive which began nine days ago is the swiftest battlefield advance by either side since the civil war.

The SOHR says more than 820 people, including 111 civilians, have been killed across the country so far.

Earlier, HTS fighters and their allies took over Hama central prison and released inmates amid fierce battles, while the military said it had redeployed troops outside the city.

Hama is home to one million people and is 110km (70 miles) south of Aleppo, which the rebels captured last week after launching a surprise offensive from their stronghold in the north-west.

President Assad has vowed to "crush" the rebels and accused Western powers of trying to redraw the map of the region, while his key allies Russia and Iran have offered their "unconditional support".

In the past, President Assad relied on Russia and Iran to crush his opponents.

Russian warplanes have intensified strikes on rebel-held areas, Iran-backed militias have sent fighters to reinforce the government's defensive lines, and Iran has said it is ready to send additional forces to Syria if asked.

But with both allies preoccupied with their own affairs, it is unclear how - or if - he will be able to stop an advance that could threaten his government's survival.

Bd-pratidin English/Lutful Hoque

 

More News
Aafia Siddiqui appeals for presidential pardon before Trump's takeover
Aafia Siddiqui appeals for presidential pardon before Trump's takeover
Impeached South Korean president arrives at court to argue against his arrest
Impeached South Korean president arrives at court to argue against his arrest
This would be biggest trade war: Canada warns US
This would be biggest trade war: Canada warns US
Russia sentences Navalny lawyers to prison for relaying his messages
Russia sentences Navalny lawyers to prison for relaying his messages
116 Palestinians killed since agreement announced
116 Palestinians killed since agreement announced
Erdogan criticizes opposition over mayor's arrest amid corruption probe
Erdogan criticizes opposition over mayor's arrest amid corruption probe
Trump to be sworn in at indoor ceremony first time due to extreme cold
Trump to be sworn in at indoor ceremony first time due to extreme cold
UK to announce significant hike in visa sponsorship fees
UK to announce significant hike in visa sponsorship fees
Israel prepares for hostages’ return
Israel prepares for hostages’ return
Israeli security cabinet approves Gaza ceasefire deal
Israeli security cabinet approves Gaza ceasefire deal
Gaza death toll rises
Gaza death toll rises
Hamas set to release first hostages under Gaza ceasefire deal: Israel
Hamas set to release first hostages under Gaza ceasefire deal: Israel
Latest News
How to make smacked cucumbers
How to make smacked cucumbers
8 minutes ago | Lifestyle
It's never going to get easy: Abhishek amid separation rumors
It's never going to get easy: Abhishek amid separation rumors
31 minutes ago | Entertainment
Bangladesh’s 2025-26 budget may reach 8 trillion
Bangladesh’s 2025-26 budget may reach 8 trillion
36 minutes ago | National
Aafia Siddiqui appeals for presidential pardon before Trump's takeover
Aafia Siddiqui appeals for presidential pardon before Trump's takeover
37 minutes ago | International
Debapriya slams 'inconsiderate' VAT hike by interim govt
Debapriya slams 'inconsiderate' VAT hike by interim govt
46 minutes ago | National
Impeached South Korean president arrives at court to argue against his arrest
Impeached South Korean president arrives at court to argue against his arrest
1 hour ago | International
This would be biggest trade war: Canada warns US
This would be biggest trade war: Canada warns US
1 hour ago | International
Kazi Nazrul’s grandson hospitalised with burn Injuries
Kazi Nazrul’s grandson hospitalised with burn Injuries
1 hour ago | National
BNP focuses entirely on elections
BNP focuses entirely on elections
1 hour ago | Special
Instagram profile grids to switch from squares to rectangles
Instagram profile grids to switch from squares to rectangles
1 hour ago | Tech
Govt seeks opinion on July proclamation
Govt seeks opinion on July proclamation
1 hour ago | National
1,246 Bangladeshis repatriated from Lebanon; 47 arrive today
1,246 Bangladeshis repatriated from Lebanon; 47 arrive today
1 hour ago | National
Over 50,000 garment workers unemployed in a year
Over 50,000 garment workers unemployed in a year
1 hour ago | Special
8 health benefits of garlic
8 health benefits of garlic
1 hour ago | Lifestyle
Russia sentences Navalny lawyers to prison for relaying his messages
Russia sentences Navalny lawyers to prison for relaying his messages
2 hours ago | International
116 Palestinians killed since agreement announced
116 Palestinians killed since agreement announced
2 hours ago | International
Erdogan criticizes opposition over mayor's arrest amid corruption probe
Erdogan criticizes opposition over mayor's arrest amid corruption probe
2 hours ago | International
Trump to be sworn in at indoor ceremony first time due to extreme cold
Trump to be sworn in at indoor ceremony first time due to extreme cold
2 hours ago | International
UK to announce significant hike in visa sponsorship fees
UK to announce significant hike in visa sponsorship fees
3 hours ago | International
David Lynch, iconic filmmaker, dies at 78
David Lynch, iconic filmmaker, dies at 78
3 hours ago | Entertainment
Import duty hike sends fruit market in turmoil
Import duty hike sends fruit market in turmoil
3 hours ago | Business
Dhaka's air quality 2nd worst globally this morning
Dhaka's air quality 2nd worst globally this morning
3 hours ago | City
Unsweetened coffee reduces Alzheimer's disease risk by 30%
Unsweetened coffee reduces Alzheimer's disease risk by 30%
3 hours ago | Lifestyle
UK central bank's Bailey warns of economic nationalism risks
UK central bank's Bailey warns of economic nationalism risks
3 hours ago | Business
Awareness meeting on dowry held in Dinajpur
Awareness meeting on dowry held in Dinajpur
3 hours ago | Shuvosangho
Country at 5 risks, inflation at top
Country at 5 risks, inflation at top
3 hours ago | National
TikTok says it will go dark Sunday without Biden’s interference
TikTok says it will go dark Sunday without Biden’s interference
3 hours ago | Tech
ISRO releases video of SpaDeX satellite docking
ISRO releases video of SpaDeX satellite docking
4 hours ago | Tech
Rangpur Riders extend perfect winning streak to eight
Rangpur Riders extend perfect winning streak to eight
4 hours ago | Sports
Israel prepares for hostages’ return
Israel prepares for hostages’ return
4 hours ago | International
Most Read
Won't stop until misrule-free Bangladesh is established
Won't stop until misrule-free Bangladesh is established
16 hours ago | National
Youth can change country's image: Fakhrul
Youth can change country's image: Fakhrul
15 hours ago | National
Met office forecasts dry weather over country
Met office forecasts dry weather over country
21 hours ago | National
Country at 5 risks, inflation at top
Country at 5 risks, inflation at top
3 hours ago | National
Lynching to Tofazzal: Chargesheet submitted against 21 DU students
Lynching to Tofazzal: Chargesheet submitted against 21 DU students
22 hours ago | National
UAE leaders commemorate Jan 17 as day of 'resilience and solidarity' following Houthi attack
UAE leaders commemorate Jan 17 as day of 'resilience and solidarity' following Houthi attack
23 hours ago | International
68% people want non-partisan president: BBS
68% people want non-partisan president: BBS
18 hours ago | National
Hamas set to release first hostages under Gaza ceasefire deal: Israel
Hamas set to release first hostages under Gaza ceasefire deal: Israel
17 hours ago | International
Biden won’t enforce TikTok ban, leaving fate of app to Trump
Biden won’t enforce TikTok ban, leaving fate of app to Trump
22 hours ago | Tech
"Due to ‘family genes,’ Tulip became involved in corruption in UK"
"Due to ‘family genes,’ Tulip became involved in corruption in UK"
19 hours ago | National
Hazaribagh Fire: BGB joins rescue operation
Hazaribagh Fire: BGB joins rescue operation
20 hours ago | City
Rajshahi climb to 4th place with win over Sylhet
Rajshahi climb to 4th place with win over Sylhet
18 hours ago | Sports
Chhatra Dal to stage "March for Justice" programme on Saturday
Chhatra Dal to stage "March for Justice" programme on Saturday
22 hours ago | National
Rizwana urges all to be eco-centric to protect nature
Rizwana urges all to be eco-centric to protect nature
21 hours ago | National
FBI closes diversity office amid growing political debate
FBI closes diversity office amid growing political debate
22 hours ago | International
Govt okays SC Judges Appointment Ordinance
Govt okays SC Judges Appointment Ordinance
20 hours ago | National
UK to announce significant hike in visa sponsorship fees
UK to announce significant hike in visa sponsorship fees
3 hours ago | International
Imran Khan jailed for 14 years in graft case
Imran Khan jailed for 14 years in graft case
22 hours ago | International
Haaland signs new 10-Year Man City contract
Haaland signs new 10-Year Man City contract
19 hours ago | Sports
Iranian president arrives in Russia to ink partnership treaty
Iranian president arrives in Russia to ink partnership treaty
19 hours ago | International
American journalist handcuffed, forcibly removed from Blinken’s final press briefing
American journalist handcuffed, forcibly removed from Blinken’s final press briefing
21 hours ago | International
Saif Ali Khan stabbing case: Suspect detained by Mumbai Police
Saif Ali Khan stabbing case: Suspect detained by Mumbai Police
21 hours ago | Entertainment
Dhaka urges Australia to ease visa procedures for Bangladeshis
Dhaka urges Australia to ease visa procedures for Bangladeshis
21 hours ago | National
Announce election date to uphold dignity of 2nd independence: BNP
Announce election date to uphold dignity of 2nd independence: BNP
20 hours ago | National
EU calls for consensus on priority reforms in Bangladesh
EU calls for consensus on priority reforms in Bangladesh
18 hours ago | National
Inaugural Women's BPL to kick off in February with 3 teams
Inaugural Women's BPL to kick off in February with 3 teams
16 hours ago | Sports
Nick Pothas steps down as Bangladesh’s assistant coach ahead
Nick Pothas steps down as Bangladesh’s assistant coach ahead
22 hours ago | Sports
‘Form commission to tackle environmental issues’
‘Form commission to tackle environmental issues’
20 hours ago | National
Future leaders should learn from the past: Sakhawat
Future leaders should learn from the past: Sakhawat
18 hours ago | National
Israeli security cabinet approves Gaza ceasefire deal
Israeli security cabinet approves Gaza ceasefire deal
16 hours ago | International