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
What did US get from deals to pause tariffs on Canada and Mexico?
What did US get from deals to pause tariffs on Canada and Mexico?
Washington plane crash: All 67 bodies recovered from Potomac River
Washington plane crash: All 67 bodies recovered from Potomac River
No ties with Israel without creation of Palestinian state: Saudi
No ties with Israel without creation of Palestinian state: Saudi
Sweden's deadliest gun attack leaves 11 dead
Sweden's deadliest gun attack leaves 11 dead
US plans Gaza takeover, calls for resettlement
US plans Gaza takeover, calls for resettlement
US Treasury says Musk team has 'read-only access' to payment data
US Treasury says Musk team has 'read-only access' to payment data
Leader of Ismaili Muslims Aga Khan dies aged 88
Leader of Ismaili Muslims Aga Khan dies aged 88
US cancels funding to UNRWA
US cancels funding to UNRWA
2C climate target declared impossible: Study
2C climate target declared impossible: Study
Lebanon files complaint against Israel with UNSC
Lebanon files complaint against Israel with UNSC
Five people shot in Sweden’s school
Five people shot in Sweden’s school
EU, Moldova agree on energy plan to cut Russian dependence
EU, Moldova agree on energy plan to cut Russian dependence
Latest News
Paris Saint-Germain, Brest, Dunkerque advance to French Cup last eight
Paris Saint-Germain, Brest, Dunkerque advance to French Cup last eight
just now | Sports
Dhaka to roll out counter-based pink buses Thursday
Dhaka to roll out counter-based pink buses Thursday
29 seconds ago | City
Smartphone vision syndrome: Preventing and treating eye discomfort
Smartphone vision syndrome: Preventing and treating eye discomfort
7 minutes ago | Lifestyle
What did US get from deals to pause tariffs on Canada and Mexico?
What did US get from deals to pause tariffs on Canada and Mexico?
32 minutes ago | International
Google’s holiday ad surge fails to ease AI concerns
Google’s holiday ad surge fails to ease AI concerns
47 minutes ago | Tech
EC to use software for smart NID card distribution
EC to use software for smart NID card distribution
49 minutes ago | National
Young voters are the game changer
Young voters are the game changer
50 minutes ago | Special
Washington plane crash: All 67 bodies recovered from Potomac River
Washington plane crash: All 67 bodies recovered from Potomac River
55 minutes ago | International
Sabina Yasmin returns home
Sabina Yasmin returns home
1 hour ago | Entertainment
No ties with Israel without creation of Palestinian state: Saudi
No ties with Israel without creation of Palestinian state: Saudi
1 hour ago | International
Sweden's deadliest gun attack leaves 11 dead
Sweden's deadliest gun attack leaves 11 dead
1 hour ago | International
Another day of ferry suspension on Manikganj routes
Another day of ferry suspension on Manikganj routes
1 hour ago | National
Dhaka tops worst air quality list globally
Dhaka tops worst air quality list globally
1 hour ago | City
US plans Gaza takeover, calls for resettlement
US plans Gaza takeover, calls for resettlement
1 hour ago | International
US Treasury says Musk team has 'read-only access' to payment data
US Treasury says Musk team has 'read-only access' to payment data
1 hour ago | International
Leader of Ismaili Muslims Aga Khan dies aged 88
Leader of Ismaili Muslims Aga Khan dies aged 88
1 hour ago | International
US cancels funding to UNRWA
US cancels funding to UNRWA
1 hour ago | International
2C climate target declared impossible: Study
2C climate target declared impossible: Study
1 hour ago | International
Bangladesh keen to enhance trade, economic relations with Algeria
Bangladesh keen to enhance trade, economic relations with Algeria
1 hour ago | National
Case filed against Nagad MD, 23 others over money fraud
Case filed against Nagad MD, 23 others over money fraud
2 hours ago | National
Bangladeshi women entrepreneurs to lead UK trade mission
Bangladeshi women entrepreneurs to lead UK trade mission
2 hours ago | Business
Ex-BSEC Chairman Shibli Rubayat-Ul-Islam arrested
Ex-BSEC Chairman Shibli Rubayat-Ul-Islam arrested
2 hours ago | National
Awami League ruined country's interests to stay in power: Ishraque
Awami League ruined country's interests to stay in power: Ishraque
12 hours ago | National
Accountable political govt needed to overcome crises, uncertainty: Rizvi
Accountable political govt needed to overcome crises, uncertainty: Rizvi
12 hours ago | National
Vertical Mastercard credit card launched for ICMAB members
Vertical Mastercard credit card launched for ICMAB members
12 hours ago | Corporate Corner
Lebanon files complaint against Israel with UNSC
Lebanon files complaint against Israel with UNSC
13 hours ago | International
People don’t want to see any election like 2014, 2018, 2024: Parwar
People don’t want to see any election like 2014, 2018, 2024: Parwar
13 hours ago | National
Kuwaiti ambassador and foreign adviser discuss state of Bangladeshi workers
Kuwaiti ambassador and foreign adviser discuss state of Bangladeshi workers
13 hours ago | National
Food inflation slips to 10.72% in Jan
Food inflation slips to 10.72% in Jan
13 hours ago | Business
50 lakh voters added to updated list
50 lakh voters added to updated list
14 hours ago | National
Most Read
Met office forecasts dry weather over country
Met office forecasts dry weather over country
21 hours ago | National
Ebola-hit Uganda begins vaccination trial: WHO
Ebola-hit Uganda begins vaccination trial: WHO
21 hours ago | Lifestyle
Awami League ruined country's interests to stay in power: Ishraque
Awami League ruined country's interests to stay in power: Ishraque
11 hours ago | National
JCD to observe ‘March for Justice’ for trial of BCL
JCD to observe ‘March for Justice’ for trial of BCL
16 hours ago | National
Trial begins for suspended assistant commissioner Urmi
Trial begins for suspended assistant commissioner Urmi
21 hours ago | National
Why civil society fails in governing the country?
Why civil society fails in governing the country?
23 hours ago | Special
OpenAI forms partnership with Kakao to develop AI products in South Korea
OpenAI forms partnership with Kakao to develop AI products in South Korea
23 hours ago | Tech
ACC asks BB to freeze officials' safe deposits
ACC asks BB to freeze officials' safe deposits
21 hours ago | National
15,000 illegal foreigners have left country
15,000 illegal foreigners have left country
22 hours ago | National
Bashundhara City Shopping Mall overwhelms customers with mega clearance sale
Bashundhara City Shopping Mall overwhelms customers with mega clearance sale
23 hours ago | City
EC to remove over 10 lakh deceased voters
EC to remove over 10 lakh deceased voters
21 hours ago | National
Human brain sample holds a spoonful of plastic: Study
Human brain sample holds a spoonful of plastic: Study
19 hours ago | Lifestyle
China's Chang'e-7 mission to send "Extremely Smart" flying robot to moon to look for water
China's Chang'e-7 mission to send "Extremely Smart" flying robot to moon to look for water
21 hours ago | Tech
Right shoulder pain: A potential sign of gallstones
Right shoulder pain: A potential sign of gallstones
19 hours ago | Lifestyle
Counter-based buses to operate in Dhaka from Thursday
Counter-based buses to operate in Dhaka from Thursday
17 hours ago | City
Vertical Mastercard credit card launched for ICMAB members
Vertical Mastercard credit card launched for ICMAB members
12 hours ago | Corporate Corner
Food inflation slips to 10.72% in Jan
Food inflation slips to 10.72% in Jan
13 hours ago | Business
Expedite trade facilitation roadmap implementation for LDC graduation
Expedite trade facilitation roadmap implementation for LDC graduation
20 hours ago | Business
Gas supply still delayed, 14 months after inauguration
Gas supply still delayed, 14 months after inauguration
23 hours ago | Business
Traffic rule violations aggravating capital’s gridlock
Traffic rule violations aggravating capital’s gridlock
23 hours ago | City
Int’l Papertech export begins on February 10
Int’l Papertech export begins on February 10
23 hours ago | Business
'11yr old girl' missing from Dhaka found in Naogaon
'11yr old girl' missing from Dhaka found in Naogaon
15 hours ago | City
Safety nets must shift from charity to empowerment
Safety nets must shift from charity to empowerment
20 hours ago | National
Full reports of 6 reform commissions to be published on Feb 8: Asif Nazrul
Full reports of 6 reform commissions to be published on Feb 8: Asif Nazrul
14 hours ago | National
China imposes 15% tariff on imports of coal, LNG from US
China imposes 15% tariff on imports of coal, LNG from US
22 hours ago | International
CA seeks Canada's help to recover stolen money
CA seeks Canada's help to recover stolen money
17 hours ago | National
'Reducing inflation: Biggest challenge for Interim Government'
'Reducing inflation: Biggest challenge for Interim Government'
20 hours ago | Business
2C climate target declared impossible: Study
2C climate target declared impossible: Study
1 hour ago | International
Hundreds of US government websites go offline amid controversial cuts
Hundreds of US government websites go offline amid controversial cuts
21 hours ago | Tech
Work underway to convert public library books into e-books: Farooki
Work underway to convert public library books into e-books: Farooki
15 hours ago | National