Homs, Syria—Syrian government forces, backed by Russian air support, launched a significant military operation on Friday in the northern countryside of Homs Province. The offensive targeted opposition-held areas around the towns of al-Dar al-Kabira, Talbiseh, and al-Rastan.
According to the Syrian Ministry of Defense, dozens of “terrorists” were killed, and numerous vehicles and weapons were destroyed. The ministry stated that the offensive caused “panic, confusion, and mass retreat” within opposition ranks.
Amid the military push, Homs Governor Nimr Makhlouf toured bakeries in central Homs alongside the city’s police chief. State media reported that Makhlouf urged bakeries to maintain continuous operations to ensure a steady supply of bread, aiming to reassure civilians during the unrest. He emphasized the province’s commitment to keeping essential services functioning around the clock.
In the southern Daraa Province, heavy clashes erupted as local armed groups seized multiple government-held positions. Syrian opposition fighters claimed control of Daraa City, the provincial capital. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based monitoring group, reported that armed groups now control approximately 80% of the province.
The situation also escalated in the southern city of Sweida, where local armed groups took control of the city’s police headquarters and several other security compounds without direct armed confrontation. These groups, claiming to protect government and security facilities, were heavily deployed in central Sweida, including around the main state hospital.
Despite the absence of large-scale clashes, intermittent gunfire echoed through Sweida’s streets, leading to curfews and shop closures. At least two fighters from the Men of Dignity movement, one of the largest armed groups in Sweida, were reportedly killed near a military post, with four others wounded.
Regional tensions prompted Lebanon and Israel to station troops along their borders with Syria, fearing the spillover of violence. On the diplomatic front, Syrian Foreign Minister Bassam Sabbagh met with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani and Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein in Baghdad. Al-Sudani emphasized Iraq’s efforts to maintain security in Syria, considering it a key factor for regional stability. He also called on neighboring Arab nations to coordinate their efforts in addressing regional challenges.
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Syrian forces launch offensive in Homs, as rebels seize more land
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