Beirut: Syrian rebels made a dramatic push into the outskirts of Homs on Saturday, marking a rapid advance as battle lines crumbled across the country. The week-long offensive has intensified pressure on President Bashar al-Assad’s 24-year rule. According to sources, insurgents breached government defenses from the north and east of Homs, though the Syrian military has yet to comment.

Fierce clashes erupted late Friday in the northern parts of the strategically critical city. Government forces, bolstered by reinforcements and heavy airstrikes, fought desperately to hold their positions. Meanwhile, rebels claimed swift victories in the southwest, capturing significant territory and advancing to within 30 kilometers (20 miles) of Damascus as government troops retreated to stronger defensive lines.

In a symbolic blow to the regime, protesters in a Damascus suburb dismantled a statue of Hafez al-Assad, the president’s father, with video footage showing it being destroyed. Despite the unrest, state media confirmed that Assad remains in the capital.

This rebel offensive follows a string of victories, including the capture of Aleppo in the north, Hama in the center, and Deir al-Zor in the east. Southern regions, including Quneitra, Deraa, and Suweida, also fell to insurgents, underscoring the regime’s rapidly deteriorating grip. The dual threats to Homs and Damascus now pose an existential challenge to Assad’s regime and its ally, Iran.

The pace of the conflict has shocked the region, raising fears of a wider instability. The Syrian civil war, which began in 2011, has drawn in major international powers, fostered the rise of jihadist factions, and displaced millions into neighboring countries.

Assad’s forces have long relied on support from allies like Russia and Iran. Russian airstrikes and ground forces from Hezbollah and Iraqi militias have played key roles in countering the rebellion. However, Russia's focus on the war in Ukraine and Hezbollah's losses in its conflict with Israel have weakened their ability to bolster Assad’s forces. Iran has hinted at potential reinforcements but faces logistical challenges and the threat of Israeli airstrikes.

On Saturday, foreign ministers from Russia, Iran, and Turkey met to discuss Syria’s territorial integrity and the possibility of reigniting political negotiations, though no concrete agreements were announced. Events on the ground are shifting too quickly for diplomatic solutions to keep pace.

Rebel advances in Homs are particularly significant. The city serves as a vital junction between Damascus and the Mediterranean coast, including Assad’s Alawite stronghold and Russian military bases. Losing Homs would sever these connections, creating a strategic crisis for the regime. Experts have warned that if Homs falls, it will jeopardize the critical highway linking Damascus to the coastal region.

In the south, the capture of Deraa, Suweida, and Quneitra has paved the way for potential rebel offensives on Damascus. Deraa, regarded as the birthplace of the Syrian uprising, holds symbolic and strategic importance, with its location near the Jordanian border adding to the rebels’ momentum.

In the east, U.S.-backed Syrian Kurdish forces have seized Deir el-Zor, cutting Assad’s land route to allied forces in Iraq. Amid this collapse, approximately 2,000 Syrian troops reportedly fled into Iraq seeking refuge, signaling the regime’s faltering control in the region.

The rapid developments have left Assad’s regime reeling, with his forces retreating and regrouping in key areas. The coming days will be pivotal in determining the future of both Homs and Damascus, as the conflict enters a critical phase.