Syrian Army Pushes Rebels Back in Homs

Morale booster for the regime

After besieging the district of Khalidiya for more than two years, its capture is a symbolic and strategic coup for the regime, raising the morale of its weary soldiers and pushing the insurgency from its most important stronghold in central Syria.

In a victorious broadcast Syrian state television announced the "collapse of the terrorists' citadel" of Khaldiyeh, claiming that the army had "restored security and stability across the neighbourhood".