Syrian rebels say Homs completely captured

Syrian rebel commander Hassan Abdul Ghany says insurgent forces have “fully liberated” Syria’s central city of Homs.

The announcement comes moments after Abu Mohammed al-Golani, leader of the Islamist rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a former al Qaeda affiliate, said in a video message that the rebels were “in the final moments of liberating” Homs.

Homs is an important intersection between Damascus and Syria’s coastal provinces that are the Syrian leader’s base of support. In Damascus, residents have described a city on edge, with security forces on the streets and many shops running out of staple foods.