THE BATTLE OF QUSAYR / SYRIA – UPDATE

22.5.2013 – MESOP – Fierce fighting continued into Tuesday between Syrian government forces, backed by Hezbollah fighters, and opposition forces over the strategic town of Qusayr.

According to Syrian state news, regime forces have made advances, expanding their control from eastern districts into the center and north. However, opposition fighters claim they are holding ground. Syria’s opposition National Coalition has called for reinforcements from across the country to join the fight in Qusayr.Additionally, head of the coalition, George Sabra, called for the international community to set up a humanitarian corridor. The outcome of the battle over Qusayr could determine the control of important supply lines, and opposition fighters are concerned that if they lose the town, they will lose all of Homs province to the regime. Meanwhile, the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee has overwhelmingly approved a bill that would authorize supplying weaponsto moderate opposition fighters. Though the legislation is far from being adopted, it shows greater bipartisan support for the United States to arm, to some extent, rebel fighters.