President Bashar al-Assad’s political survival was beneath risk on Saturday as his authorities battled opposition rebellions across the nation and one among his most vital allies, Iran, pared again army assist.
By Saturday morning, the principle insurgent offensive that started on Nov. 27 had reached the outskirts of the strategic metropolis of Homs, solely about 100 miles from the seat of Mr. al-Assad’s energy within the capital, Damascus. But the opposition fighters had been dealing with among the stiffest resistance they’ve encountered so removed from authorities forces there, who’re making an attempt to dam the quickly transferring insurgent advance heading towards Damascus.
Syrian authorities forces are nonetheless stationed on the outskirts of Homs and had been shelling areas newly captured by the rebels, in line with a British-based conflict monitoring group, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. There had been additionally clashes between rebels and authorities forces north of town, the Observatory mentioned.
Still, it’s unclear how lengthy Mr. al-Assad can maintain onto the quickly shrinking pocket of territory beneath his management, particularly with out the assistance of one among his staunchest allies, Iran. The regime in Tehran has lent strong army assist that was essential to Mr. al-Assad’s survival over the previous 13 years of civil conflict.
But late on Friday, Iran moved to begin evacuating army commanders and different personnel from Syria, in line with Iranian and regional officers.
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