Syria: Assad army moves into the area near Homs

Thousands of rebels have left the region between Homs and Hama. Now the army has taken control – and almost completely over the centre of Syria.

Syria: Assad army moves into the area near Homs

The center of Syria and thus also strategically important north-south connection of country is again under control of Syrian Army. According to Army leadership, units of government and allied militias moved into an area between cities of Homs and Hama. It is greatest that government forces have so far wrung rebels. For first time since beginning of civil war, military can secure roads between three main cities of Syria in year 2011: Damascus, Homs and Aleppo.

Previously, activists had already reported that over past few days more than 30,000 fighters, ir family members and or civilians from region were withdrawn. The Syrian Human Rights Observatory reported that buses had brought people to province of Idlib and to region north of city of Aleppo. These two areas are still controlled by rebels.

In return for safe conduct, more and more insurgent enclaves in west and central Syria have been cleared. In total, more than 100,000 rebels and civilians may have been resettled. The rebel militias had already been withdrawn from long-fought area of Ostghuta near capital city of Damascus.

Deduction was mediated by Russia

The insurgents still hold broad land lines in north and southwest of country under ir control. These lie on borders with Turkey and Jordan, from where y are temporarily supported. Because neighbouring countries guarantee limited arms at ir respective borders, rebels re have not yet been besieged by Assad's troops.

The now evacuated rebel enclave includes towns of Hula, Rastan and Talbise as well as villages surrounding m. The deduction agreements between insurgents and government were repeatedly negotiated by Russia, most important military ally of Assad. The only area that is still besieged by Syrian Army lies in south of capital city of Damascus in Palestinian camp Yarmouk. The militants of extremist militia "Islamic State" have not yet been able to see that y are prepared to withdraw from desert areas y hold in east of Syria.

Date Of Update: 17 May 2018, 12:03
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