Syrian rebels in Homs: "We are killing them, those rotting carcasses"

Weakened Syrian rebels are making their last desperate stand in Homs, as forces loyal to President Bashar Assad launch their harshest assault yet to expel them from the central city, once known as the capital of the revolution.
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Some rebels have escalated suicide car bombings in government-controlled areas dominated by Alawites, the minority Shiite offshoot sect that Assad belongs to. At least five such bombings in April killed more than 60 people, one of the bloodiest months for residents in government-controlled areas, a local reporter there estimated. The most recent, on Friday, killed 14.

     

"We are killing them, those rotting carcasses," said Abu Bilal, the fighter.

     

The bombings have another aim, sparking fighting that prevents any truce that would allow rebels to desert, Abu Bilal said.

     

"Some of us are against those deserting. We are fighting so they can die in it," said Abu Bilal.

     

Homs' saga traces the arc of Syria's uprising.

     

It quickly embraced the uprising against Assad's rule after it began in southern Daraa province in March 2011. Tens of thousands joined anti-Assad protests in Homs, winning it the nickname of "the revolution's capital."

     

"We carried the spark of the revolution and made it a flame," Abu Rami said.

     

After pro-Assad forces violently cracked down on demonstrations, some protesters took up arms, transforming the uprising into an armed rebellion.

    

Homs has also seen the ever-increasing religious dimension of the conflict, with tit-for-tat sectarian killings in the city where majority Sunni Muslims live alongside Christians and Alawites.

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