Homs’s troubles show the challenges facing Syria’s leaders
Both supporters and opponents of the old regime are unhappy with the new rulers
The city of Homs in central Syria has long held a unique position in the Syrian psyche. Home to a mix of ethnic groups, it became a symbol of resistance to Bashar al-Assad’s regime in 2011, when activists gathered around the clock tower that stands at its centre before the dictator brutally suppressed their protest. At the same time, it was a significant regime stronghold. Much of the population depended on government jobs, and the local military academy churned out officers for Mr Assad’s army. The family of Mr Assad’s wife comes from Homs.
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This article appeared in the Middle East & Africa section of the print edition under the headline “Syria’s new disorder”
Middle East & Africa
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