Syrian government forces, backed by Russian air support, launched a significant military operation in the northern countryside of Homs Province on Friday, targeting opposition-held areas, according to state media and a military statement.
The Syrian Ministry of Defense announced that the “special operation” was conducted around the towns of al-Dar al-Kabira, Talbiseh, and al-Rastan. The ministry reported that dozens of “terrorists” were killed and numerous vehicles and weapons were destroyed during the offensive. The operation caused “panic, confusion, and mass retreat” among opposition forces, the statement added.
As the military advanced in Homs, the governor of the province, Nimr Makhlouf, accompanied by the city’s police chief, conducted a late-night tour of bakeries in central Homs. Makhlouf urged the bakeries to maintain continuous operations to ensure a steady supply of bread, aiming to reassure civilians amid the ongoing unrest. He emphasized the province’s efforts to keep essential services functioning around the clock.
Clashes in Daraa Province
Meanwhile, heavy clashes erupted in parts of Syria’s southern Daraa Province, where local armed groups seized multiple government-held positions. Late on Friday, Syrian opposition fighters claimed control of Daraa City, the provincial capital. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based war monitor, reported that armed groups now control approximately 80 percent of the province.
Armed Groups Seize Control in Sweida
In the southern city of Sweida, local armed groups took control of the city’s police headquarters and several other security compounds without direct armed confrontation. The groups, claiming to protect government and security facilities, were heavily deployed in central Sweida, including around the main state hospital, as observed by a Xinhua correspondent. Videos posted online showed police officers vacating their stations peacefully.
Although Sweida did not witness large-scale clashes inside the city, intermittent gunfire echoed through the streets, prompting a curfew and the closure of shops. A member of one of the armed groups, speaking on condition of anonymity, indicated that the security situation remained fragile. At least two fighters from the Men of Dignity movement, one of the largest armed groups in Sweida, were reportedly killed in an exchange of fire near a military post, with four others wounded.
Saudi-funded Al Arabiya TV cited a source stating that the armed groups in Sweida now control 70 percent of the city.
Regional Tensions Rise
Amid the escalating conflict, both Lebanon and Israel have stationed troops along their borders with Syria, fearing the spillover of violence.
Diplomatic Efforts in Baghdad
On the diplomatic front, Syrian Foreign Minister Bassam Sabbagh traveled to the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, where he met with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein, and Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Friday. During the meeting, al-Sudani highlighted Iraq’s continued political and diplomatic efforts to maintain security in Syria, which he considered a key factor in the security of regional countries. He also urged neighboring Arab nations to coordinate their efforts in addressing regional challenges, particularly the current developments in Syria.
Rebel Gains in Hama
On Thursday, rebel groups captured the city of Hama, Syria’s fourth-largest city, after seizing Aleppo and all of Idlib Province in northern Syria. The latest developments underscore a rapidly evolving situation in Syria, with opposition forces making significant gains while the government attempts to reassert control. The conflict’s escalation raises concerns over regional stability and the potential for further humanitarian crises.
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Syrian forces launch offensive in Homs, as rebels seize more land
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