Russia strikes bridge leading to Homs city to stop Syrian rebels

According to Reuters, a Syrian military officer said that the Russian airstrikes took place along the important M5 road, aimed at preventing rebels from using it. The officer said: "There were at least eight airstrikes on the bridge."

Government forces are sending reinforcements to positions around the city of Homs.

According to avia-pro.ne, immediately after capturing Aleppo and Hama, the rebel forces in Syria launched a large-scale attack on Homs, Syria's third largest city, which is strategically important for controlling the central region of the country.

According to monitoring sources and local reports, rebels have advanced to the city of Rastan, which lies on the road to Homs. The settlement is an important transport hub connecting Homs with the city of Hama. Rastan is strategically advantageous. It is protected on one side by the Asi River and on the other by a large reservoir, making it an important defensive line. However, the rebels have shown a high level of coordination and mobility, raising concerns about the Syrian army’s ability to mount an effective resistance. Losing Rastan could complicate the defense of Homs.

If Homs is captured, the rebels will not only gain access to strategic highways linking northern and southern Syria, but could also threaten the Mediterranean coast, which is home to key Russian military facilities – including the port of Tartus and the Khmeimim air base. Homs is less than 80km from the coast, and losing control of the area could jeopardise Russia’s military presence in Syria.

After the Russians destroyed the bridge at Rastan, the rebels began using alternative routes.

According to monitoring sources, in nine days of fighting, the rebels have captured more than 20,000 square kilometers of territory, including strategically important areas. The average daily advance of these groups is about 2,200 square kilometers, demonstrating the high combat and organizational capabilities of these forces.