Syrian government forces withdraw from Homs, cutting Assad off from key Russian military base

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1. Syrian government forces withdrew from the key city of Homs on Dec. 7, abandoning the city to advancing rebel units after less than a day of fighting.

   The move effectively cuts off Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad from access to the coast and Russia’s air and naval bases on the Mediterranean Sea.

   Homs is the latest major Syrian city to fall to rebel forces in recent days. Anti-government fighters launched a rapid advance in late November, gaining control of [Aleppo](https://kyivindependent.com/fall-of-aleppo-deals-blow-to-russias-middle-east-clout-may-indirectly-strengthen-ukraines-hand/) and Hama. Rebels are reportedly now [poised to strike Damascus](https://kyivindependent.com/syrian-rebels-claim-to-reach-damascus/).  

   U.S. officials told CNN on Dec. 7 that [Assad’s regime could collapse](https://kyivindependent.com/us-officials-believe-assads-regime-may-fall-within-days-cnn-reports/) “by next weekend.”  

   The Syrian government claims that Assad has not left Damascus and that the army is reinforcing defenses around the capital.

   Homs is located between Damascus, Syria’s capital, and the Mediterranean coast — where Russia maintains its Khmeimim Air Base and Tartus Naval Base.

   Russia, Assad’s key military backer, has reportedly launched [multiple airstrikes against Syrian cities](https://kyivindependent.com/russian-syrian-jets/) in an effort to combat the rebel advance.

   Satellite imagery suggests that Russia [withdrew all naval assets](https://www.newsweek.com/russia-assad-putin-tartus-1995406) from the Tartus port when rebel forces captured Aleppo. The port is Russia’s only naval base in the Mediterranean.

   The fall of Assad threatens to diminish Russia’s regional and global standing.

   Russia deployed troops to [**Syria**](https://kyivindependent.com/tag/syria/) in 2015, providing support to the [**Assad regime**](https://kyivindependent.com/fall-of-aleppo-deals-blow-to-russias-middle-east-clout-may-indirectly-strengthen-ukraines-hand/) against multiple anti-government forces. Damascus has supported the Kremlin throughout the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

2. If the rebels siege Tartus. Hmmmm that. Would be something.

3. The most important thing is to hope Jolani is serious about change, and heads for Tartus rather than Damascus. Damascus is almost taken. If Russia keeps its coastal bases in Syria, it will push, and push, and Syria will end up just like Georgia, with a pro-Putin suck-up as their next leader, and Syrians as slaves to Putin rather than Assad.

   There’s no telling which one right now. But it will prove everything which he choses.

4. Rebels get Homs, Russia goes home. 🤗

5. Russia lost Syria. That’s a thing.

6. Good

7. It seems like Assad is the rebel now

8. By the looks of the current situation, I would say it’s unsustainable for both the naval base and air base for Russia. Assad is done, it’s just a matter of time. Both bases are within drone range. The air base was already attacked a few days ago. Based on latest information they landed air lift assets, making it look like they are evacuating.

9. Is there any chance of Russian forces being caught short and end up being attacked/captured by HTS?

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