Another mid eastern country (Syria) in trouble

[phuketrichard]

now is not a good time to be anywhere in the mid east

Thousands flee as Syrian rebels close in on third major city

If Homs were to fall, it would leave three of the country’s five largest cities in the hands of the forces led by the militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham.

Thousands of people have fled the Syrian city of Homs as rebel fighters pushed further south with their rapid assault on government forces, a leading monitoring group said.

If the strategically important municipality were to fall, it would leave three of the country’s five largest cities in the hands of the forces led by the militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and no major cities between rebel forces and the Syrian capital of Damascus.

In less than two weeks they have already captured the second city of Aleppo in the north, as well as the central city of Hama — where government forces were forced out Thursday.

“Our forces continue to advance towards the city of Homs at a steady pace, thanks to God, after the arrival of convoys carrying hundreds of displaced people from Homs to deter Assad’s aggression against their city,” said Hassan Abdul-Ghani, senior commander of the HTS-led forces on Friday in a post on X.

While Hama was a more symbolic victory for the HTS-led insurgents, taking Homs would send a more practical message, said Neil Quilliam, an associate fellow with the MENA Programme at Chatham House, a London-based think tank.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/syri ... rcna183144

BREAKING: ASSAD FLED SYRIA?

Rumors and local reports suggest the Syrian President has fled the country, possibly to Iran, as his regime crumbles under pressure.

HTS rebels are advancing rapidly, the government has collapsed, and the Syrian military appears unwilling—or unable—to defend the nation.

If Assad is gone, Syria faces a haunting question: who will lead a country shattered by decades of war, and what future lies ahead for its exhausted people?

[Alex]

It's very unfortunate for Assad that Uncle Vladimir is busy elsewhere and not of much (if any) help any longer.

[Bluejeanbaby]

The Wagner Group is thought to have had more than 5,000 fighters in Syria supporting Assad, unfortunately their phone number has been disconnected.

[Doc67]

It's very unfortunate for Assad that Uncle Vladimir is busy elsewhere and not of much (if any) help any longer.

And Hezbollah, his other friends to the east, has been seriously downgraded too.

That just leaves Iran, who are quite busy trying to restock Hamas and Hezbollah and rebuilding it's own infrastructure after Israel blew a lot of it up.

Watch out for Russia though, they still have their naval base in Tartus and any new regime in Syria might not want to be so accommodating to them in the future.

[Dr Anik]

This means more civil war. Never any peace in these lands, different factions fighting for dominance.

[ItWasntMe]

This means more civil war. Never any peace in these lands, different factions fighting for dominance.

Building transnational pipelines can be a delicate task.

[cabron]

This means more civil war. Never any peace in these lands, different factions fighting for dominance.

Peace is something from the past, war is in fashion.

[Roryborealis]

It's very unfortunate for Assad that Uncle Vladimir is busy elsewhere and not of much (if any) help any longer.

And Hezbollah, his other friends to the east, has been seriously downgraded too.

That just leaves Iran, who are quite busy trying to restock Hamas and Hezbollah and rebuilding it's own infrastructure after Israel blew a lot of it up.

Watch out for Russia though, they still have their naval base in Tartus and any new regime in Syria might not want to be so accommodating to them in the future.

How far will the rebels penetrate?
At what point does Russia's support for the Ba'athists become a liability?

[phuketrichard]

If Assad ( who Russia and Iran were backing) heads to Iran
and
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) ( ie known as the Rebels and branded a Terrorist group) , take control
what happens next?
could they bring peace to this war torn country?
or
another front that Israel has to deal with?
or
a resurgence by the Islamic State group?

[angsta]

All these problems in the Middle East. If only there was a common factor that linked all these religious lunatics? I just can't put my finger on it... Nope. Can't think of anything.

Where are the 'Free Syria' demonstrations? The UN stopped counting the dead in this one, but because its the brothers killing the brothers again,the left can't demonstrate because they don't want to upset the self-proclaimed 'religion of peace'. 600,00+ dead according to those on the ground. But I guess they don't count?

When you rely on Hezbollah for your muscle you are going to have a few problems when they are sent to Jannah on mass by the IDF.

Assad will fall, Syria will be turned into a religious caliphate under Ahmed Al Sharaa, for those who are confused he IS NOT one of the good guys. No really he isn't. Whatever The Guardian might tell you. The problems will be in Europe with the refugees looking for free handouts in the once civilized West. I do not think Germany will be accepting a million this time.