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Thousands flee Syrian city Homs as rebels advance further Thousands flee Syrian city Homs as rebels advance further
(about 2 hours later)
Syrian rebels declared victory in Hama on Thursday as the country's military withdrew from a second major citySyrian rebels declared victory in Hama on Thursday as the country's military withdrew from a second major city
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. Tens of thousands of people are fleeing Syria's third-largest city Homs amid reports that rebels are closing in, just over a week since they launched their lightning offensive.
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 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 Islamist militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), Abu Mohammed al-Jawlani, told residents of Homs "your time has come".The leader of the Islamist 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. Rebel forces began the biggest offensive against Syria's government in years last week.
They have been advancing south - and Homs is the next city on the road from Aleppo to Damascus. They have been advancing south, and Homs would be the next stop on the road to the capital Damascus.
Their offensive is the swiftest battlefield advance by either side since the Syrian civil war began 13 years ago, exposing the weakness of the country's military.
Terrified members of President Assad's Alawite minority community are rushing to leave Homs, with video footage showing roads jammed with cars.
What is happening in north-western Syria and why now?What is happening in north-western Syria and why now?
Terrified members of President Assad's Alawite minority community are leaving Homs, with video footage showing roads jammed with cars. Follow live updates on this story
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. The rebels' joint operations centre says its fighters have passed through two towns on the way to Homs – Rastan and Talbisseh – and are now within 5km (3.1 miles) of the city.
The BBC has not been able to verify these movements, but the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), a UK-based war monitor, is also reporting them.
Earlier, the SOHR said Russian warplanes had bombed a bridge in Rastan to try and slow the rebel 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.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. Homs is a strategic city that links Damascus to the Alawite heartland on the Mediterranean coast, Assad's political stronghold and key to his grip on power.
Assad has vowed to "crush" the rebels and accused Western powers of trying to redraw the map of the region
But analysts say Assad's forces are demoralised, dealing with low pay and corruption in the ranks. Assad announced a 50% pay rise in recent days, according to state news agency SANA.
Russia and Iran, the regime's most important allies, have declared continued support for Assad, but have not provided the kind of military assistance that so far has been propping up his rule.
The Kremlin is preoccupied with its war in Ukraine, and Iran has been weakened by Israel's punishing campaign against its most powerful allied militia, Lebanon's Hezbollah.
Hezbollah fighters had been key to holding regime territory in Syria.
Russian and Iranian officials are expected to meet with their Turkish counterparts at the weekend to discuss a response to this upsurge in Syria's civil war.
Turkey backs some of the rebel groups taking part in the offensive, which analysts say almost certainly could not have happened without Ankara's knowledge and approval.
The Turkish president Recip Tayyip Erdogan has for months pressed Assad to reach a political solution with the opposition.
Erdogan has repeated that demand now and said Turkey is working to pave the way for such an outcome.
For his part, the leader of HTS, Abu Mohammed al-Jawlani, has been making public remarks to soften his image and reassure both Syrians and foreign leaders.
He has emphasized his split years ago from Islamic State and Al Qaeda, presenting himself as a nationalist opposed to attacks outside Syria, and promising protection for minority communities.
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.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. Since this offensive began nine days ago, the SOHR says more than 820 people, including 111 civilians, have been killed across the country.
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 and released inmates from its central prison amid fierce battles, while the military said it had redeployed troops outside the city.
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.
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.
Moment former Syrian president's statue toppled in HamaMoment former Syrian president's statue toppled in Hama
Meanwhile the UN has said the fighting is also "worsening an already horrific situation for civilians in the north of the county".Meanwhile the UN has said the fighting is also "worsening an already horrific situation for civilians in the north of the county".
An estimated 280,000 people have been displaced, most of them women and children, and some civilians are trapped in front-line areas unable to reach safer locations.An estimated 280,000 people have been displaced, most of them women and children, and some civilians are trapped in front-line areas unable to reach safer locations.
In Aleppo, a city of two million people, some public services and critical facilities - including hospitals, bakeries, power stations, water, internet and telecommunications - are disrupted or non-functional because of shortages of supplies and personnel.In Aleppo, a city of two million people, some public services and critical facilities - including hospitals, bakeries, power stations, water, internet and telecommunications - are disrupted or non-functional because of shortages of supplies and personnel.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged "all those with influence to do their part" to end the civil war.UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged "all those with influence to do their part" to end the civil war.