Syrian forces withdraw from central city of Homs, cutting President Assad off from coast

Syrian government forces withdrew from the key city of Homs on Saturday, marking a significant setback for President Bashar al-Assad’s rule. Insurgents continued to press towards the capital, Damascus, raising concerns about the collapse of Assad’s government, news agency Reuters reported.

The withdrawal from Homs followed a rapid series of defeats for Syrian government forces, which lost control of several major cities in recent days. Rebels, who had gained momentum after seizing Aleppo last week, reignited opposition in areas where resistance had previously been suppressed.

Homs, a critical crossroads connecting Damascus to the Mediterranean coast, is now under rebel control. The city’s fall isolates the capital from the coastal regions, home to Assad’s Alawite community and key military bases used by Russia, a major ally of the government.

Syrian military commanders were seen leaving Homs by helicopter, while a large convoy withdrew by land, according to a senior officer. Rebels claimed to have entered the city centre, where residents gathered to celebrate. Local sources reported that insurgents had taken control of the central prison, freeing detainees, while state security personnel abandoned their offices after destroying documents.

In Damascus, protests erupted in several suburbs, with demonstrators removing symbols of Assad’s rule. Witnesses reported some soldiers joining the protesters after discarding their uniforms. Rebel forces are now within 30 kilometres of the capital, further threatening the government’s hold on power.

Foreign officials, speaking anonymously, suggested that Assad’s government may collapse within days. A US official estimated the timeframe as five to ten days, while another suggested Assad could be ousted in a week.

Despite these developments, state media reported that Assad remains in Damascus. Military reinforcements have been deployed around the capital and to the south, according to government sources, Reuters reported.