Sat Dec 07 21:27:02 UTC 2024: ## Syrian Rebels Capture Homs, Deal Major Blow to Assad Regime
**BEIRUT, December 8, 2024** – Syrian rebels have seized control of much of the central city of Homs, inflicting a significant blow to President Bashar Assad’s regime. Both the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and pro-government media outlets confirmed the government forces’ withdrawal from the city, a key strategic location linking Damascus to Assad’s coastal strongholds.
This latest victory follows a rapid insurgent offensive launched on November 27th, which has already resulted in the capture of Aleppo and Hama, as well as large swathes of southern Syria. The rebels, led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group, have encountered minimal resistance, analysts say. The fall of Homs marks a potential turning point in the long-running Syrian civil war.
Adding to the pressure on the Assad regime, reports indicate that rebels have reached the outskirts of Damascus, prompting the government to deny rumors of President Assad’s departure from the country. The recent rebel advances represent some of the most significant territorial gains in years. The speed and extent of the insurgency’s success have shocked observers. The HTS group, designated a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the U.N., is spearheading the offensive.
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