The military and strategic expert, Colonel Hatem Karim Al-Falahi, said that the successive collapses of the Syrian army forces in various regions make its steadfastness in the city of Homs useless in the face of the opposition’s advance.
Earlier, the Syrian armed opposition announced its control over the cities of Rastan and Talbiseh in the northern countryside of Homs, coinciding with its advance towards the outskirts of the city of Homs, while the Syrian army sought to break the opposition’s advance by destroying the Rastan Bridge leading to the city.
In a parallel context, the Syrian regime – on Friday – handed over the center of Deir ez-Zor Governorate in the east of the country to the Syrian Democratic Forces, after it withdrew its forces from 7 villages belonging to the governorate and handed them over to the SDF, which are located on the “strategic corridor” that connects Iran to Lebanon via Iraq and Syria.
Al-Falahi explained in a military analysis that the Syrian Democratic Forces’ control of the Al-Bukamal crossing, a strategic corridor linking Iran to Lebanon via Iraq and Syria, means cutting off vital supplies to the Syrian regime from Iraq and Iran.
He added that the city of Homs is of great strategic importance, as it is a transportation node linking northern and southern Syria, in addition to its connection to cities such as Tartous, Latakia, and Damascus, and includes 4 airports and military colleges.
Withdrawals continue
The expert pointed out that these military and logistical capabilities present in Homs could have supported the regime in building a defensive line, but the ongoing withdrawals in other areas made it difficult to confront the opposition forces advancing towards the city.
-He continued, saying, “Russia itself announced the absence of clear plans to support the Syrian army, which reinforces the collapse of the regime and reduces its military options.”
Al-Falahi believes that one of the most prominent reasons for the rapid collapse of the Syrian army is “breaking the will to fight among the soldiers,” as battles have become a losing option for them.
He stressed that the popular support of the Syrian regime has become weak, especially in the areas over which it lost control, leading to its downfall from within.
He continued, saying, “The air force alone is unable to resolve battles or curb the opposition’s advance, which makes field commanders unable to regain the initiative.”
Al-Falahi pointed out that the Daraa axis represents a strategic threat to the regime because of its proximity to Damascus, noting that the multiple fighting fronts around the capital impose great pressure on the regime and give it limited maneuvering space.
