Syrian Rebels Advance towards Third City Homs after Aleppo and Hama

homs - After capturing Aleppo and Hama, Syrian rebels are now pushing towards Homs, the country's third city, causing thousands to flee in anticipation of the approaching battle.

Syrian rebels, led by fighters from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), launched a new offensive last week and have since rapidly seized territory from Bashar al Assad's government forces. On Thursday, the military announced its withdrawal from Hama, another major city, making it just 40 kilometers south of Homs.

Most of the fleeing residents have sought refuge in the coastal region controlled by Assad's regime, but if the rebels take Homs, they could cut off the major roads from the coast to the inland areas.

Two border crossings between Lebanon and Syria near Homs were also targeted Friday morning, with Lebanese authorities attributing the attack to Israel.