Syrian opposition fighters have made major strides, reaching the suburbs of the capital, Damascus, while government forces have retreated from the central city of Homs. This surprising advance by the rebels has raised concerns, with President Bashar al-Assad's whereabouts remaining unknown.

Homs and Damascus on Edge

Homs, a key city connecting Damascus to Syria’s coastal provinces, has strategic importance as it lies at the heart of President Assad's support base. The capture of Homs is seen as a blow to the regime’s control. Meanwhile, residents of Damascus described the city as being on edge, with heightened security forces on the streets and many shops running out of essential food items.

Regional Impact and Border Closures

The rapidly evolving situation has caused ripple effects throughout the region. Lebanon announced the closure of all its land border crossings with Syria, except one connecting Beirut to Damascus. Jordan also shut a border crossing with Syria in response to the escalating violence.

International Diplomatic Efforts

Amid these developments, eight key countries convened with the U.N. Special Envoy on Syria for two hours of discussions on the sidelines of the Doha Summit. The U.N. envoy continues to push for urgent talks in Geneva, aiming to facilitate an "orderly political transition" in Syria.

With AP inputs