Rebels seize strategic city near Homs in escalating offensive
The rebels have reportedly taken control of the city of Salamiyah, located east of Homs, according to the Nexta channel. Islamic rebels launched a major offensive against the forces of Bashar al-Assad's regime in November.
The commander of the Syrian rebels, Abu Muhammad al-Jolani, stated in an interview, the transcript of which was published on Friday by the portal of the American CNN station, that the goal of the revolution in Syria is to overthrow Bashar al-Assad.
Rebel forces have the "right to use all available means to achieve that goal," stated al-Jolani, adding that their further intention is to create a government based on institutions and a "council chosen by the people."
In the morning, it was reported that the Islamic rebels, who launched a major offensive against Bashar al-Assad's regime forces in November, approached within a distance of 5 kilometres from the Syrian city of Homs.
