Critical turning point in Syria: Warning from Russia

In Syria, anti-Assad regime opposition groups have captured Homs, one of the most strategic points before Damascus, following their gains in Aleppo, Idlib, Tel Rifaat, and Hama. This advance by the opposition has been interpreted as a critical step that shifts the balance of power in the region.

Immediately following the development, a notable statement came from Russia, one of the Assad regime's biggest supporters. The Moscow administration called on its citizens in Syria to "leave the country urgently."

TENSE HOURS IN THE REGION

Jihadist groups led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) have been continuing their attacks against Assad forces in Syria since November 27.

It has been learned that the jihadist groups, which have taken control of the Hama city center, are advancing toward the city of Homs.

In the morning hours, the districts of Rastan and Talbiseh, which serve as the gateway to Homs province, were captured by HTS-led jihadist groups.

Rastan and Talbiseh are located on the M5 highway, which connects Aleppo-Hama-Homs and extends to Damascus.

Having taken the village of Ter Maela and the town of Dar al-Kabira in the north, the jihadist groups continued their advance, reaching within 3 kilometers of the outer neighborhoods of Homs.

HTS also captured the villages of Elguntu, Zaferene, Majdal, Deir Ful, Asiile, Abu Humame, Hashimiyye, East Farhane, West Farhane, Vazeiyye, Izz al-Din, Al-Gasibiyye, Al-Mekremiyye, Sa'en, Izz al-Din, and Gırnata.

The jihadist groups, which are conducting operations toward Homs from the Salamiyah district of Hama—a city of strategic importance opening up to the capital Damascus—have begun to enter the outer neighborhoods of the city center.

WHAT IS HAPPENING IN SYRIA?

Clashes between the Assad administration and jihadist armed groups began on November 27 in the western countryside of Aleppo province in northern Syria.

On November 30, the jihadist groups, which had taken most of the Aleppo city center from the Assad administration, established dominance across all of Idlib on the same day.

Following intense clashes, the groups took the Hama city center from regime forces on December 5.

In the "Dawn of Freedom" operation launched by the Syrian National Army against the terrorist organization PKK/YPG in the Aleppo countryside on December 1, the Tel Rifaat district center was captured.

News Source: 12punto