Rebel fighters head towards the city of Homs on December 6. (Photo: AFP)

Homs is a strategic location crucial for President Bashar al-Assad’s forces in defending the capital, Damascus.

The Hayat Tahrir al-Sham rebel group, alongside its allies, entered the outskirts of Homs on Friday, following their recent seizure of Hama and Aleppo in a large-scale offensive that began over a week ago.

Syria remains a hotspot of prolonged conflict, with devastating economic, social, and humanitarian consequences. The recent escalation in northern Syria has intensified, with government forces—supported by Russian airstrikes—launching a strong counteroffensive.