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Thousands flee Syrian city Homs as rebels advance further Thousands flee Syrian city Homs as rebels advance further
(about 5 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 amid reports that rebels are closing in, just over a week since they launched their lightning offensive.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".
Rebel forces began the biggest offensive against Syria's government in years last week.Rebel forces began the biggest offensive against Syria's government in years last week.
They have been advancing south, and Homs would be the next stop on the road to the capital 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.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.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?
Follow live updates on this storyFollow live updates on this story
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 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.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.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.
Homs is a strategic city that links Damascus to the Alawite heartland on the Mediterranean coast. The defence ministry has denied claims that it's withdrawn troops from the strategic city, which links the capital Damascus to the Alawite heartland on the Mediterranean coast.
Elsewhere Kurdish-led forces say they've taken the city of Deir Ezzor, the government's main foothold in the vast desert in east of the country.
In the south, Jordan closed its border after a flare up of violence from local armed groups.
Russia's support has kept President Bashar al Assad in power throughout the civil war – but it has appealed to its nationals to leave.
The Alawites are a minority sect of Shia Muslims from which the Assad family originates.The Alawites are a minority sect of Shia Muslims from which the Assad family originates.
They have long formed a major support base for Assad rule, and are key to the president's grip on power.They have long formed a major support base for Assad rule, and are key to the president's grip on power.
Assad has vowed to "crush" the rebels and accused Western powers of trying to redraw the map of the regionAssad has vowed to "crush" the rebels and accused Western powers of trying to redraw the map of the region
But analysts say his forces are demoralised, dealing with low pay and corruption in the ranks. He announced a 50% pay rise in recent days, according to state news agency SANA.But analysts say his forces are demoralised, dealing with low pay and corruption in the ranks. He 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,Russia and Iran, the regime's most important allies, have declared continued support for Assad,
But they have not provided the kind of military assistance that so far has been propping up his rule, and Moscow is now urging Russian nationals to leave the country.But they have not provided the kind of military assistance that so far has been propping up his rule, and Moscow is now urging Russian nationals to leave the country.
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.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, whose fighters had been key to holding regime territory in Syria, are now largely absent from the battlefield, although reports in the Lebanese and Israeli press say small numbers have crossed the border to shore up Homs' defence.Hezbollah, whose fighters had been key to holding regime territory in Syria, are now largely absent from the battlefield, although reports in the Lebanese and Israeli press say small numbers have crossed the border to shore up Homs' defence.
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.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 and its president Recip Tayyip Erdogan has for months pressed Mr Assad to reach a political solution with the opposition.Turkey backs some of the rebel groups and its president Recip Tayyip Erdogan has for months pressed Mr Assad to reach a political solution with the opposition.
He has voiced support for the rebels' recent advances, and said the offensive would not have happened if Assad had responded to his calls.He has voiced support for the rebels' recent advances, and said the offensive would not have happened if Assad had responded to his calls.
Analysts say it almost certainly could not have happened without Ankara's knowledge and approval.Analysts say it almost certainly could not have happened without Ankara's knowledge and approval.
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.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.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.
In an interview with CNN, al-Jawlani said the goal of the rebel forces was to overthrow the Assad regime and install a government that represents all Syrians.
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.
Since this offensive began nine days ago, the SOHR says more than 820 people, including 111 civilians, have been killed across the country.Since this offensive began nine days ago, the SOHR says more than 820 people, including 111 civilians, have been killed across the country.
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 and released inmates from its central prison 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.
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.