Strategic Advance in Syria: Anti-Regime Groups’ Influence Increases in Homs
The strategically important province of Homs, which is the gateway to the Syrian capital Damascus, has become the new target of anti-regime groups. The armed groups, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), reached the outskirts of the city center and intensified clashes with regime forces. Developments in the region increase the strategic importance of Homs not only locally but also nationally.
A Strategic Crossing Point: Homs
Homs is located on the M5 highway connecting cities such as Aleppo and Hama to the capital Damascus. This highway is critical for both commercial and military mobility. HTS and allied groups captured key areas such as Rasten and Talbise and advanced to the Vaer neighborhood in western Homs. This situation weakens both the logistics and the defense line of the regime forces.
Latest Status of the Clashes
The ongoing advance in Homs is not limited to this region. Anti-regime groups also made significant gains in Aleppo and Hama. On November 27, clashes broke out in the western countryside of Aleppo province, resulting in the anti-regime groups taking control of most of Aleppo city center. As of November 30, the factions had established control over the entire Idlib province.
HTS took control of Hama city center on December 5 after fierce clashes, and is using this achievement to advance further in Homs. This advance is severely straining the regime forces’ defense capacity in the region.
Operation Dawn of Freedom
The “Dawn of Freedom Operation” launched by the Syrian National Army in Aleppo countryside has reached an important stage with the clearance of Tal Rifaat district center from PKK/YPG elements. This operation contributed to the overall advance of the anti-regime factions, helping to restore control over strategic areas in the north.
Regional and International Impact
These developments in Syria have a significant impact on regional balances. While the advance in Homs poses a direct threat to the capital Damascus, it remains to be seen what measures the regime forces will take against this situation. At the same time, these developments are drawing the attention of international actors back to Syria.
Russia, Iran and Turkey’s continued influence over Syria is causing these conflicts to reverberate across regional borders. In particular, control of the M5 highway has the potential to radically change the logistical and strategic balances in the region.
