MESOP SYRIA News Roundup: Tuesday, April 22

Rebels withdraw, cite lack of manpower in Jeb al-Jandali –
Rebels withdrew from recently captured Jeb al-Jandali neighborhood east of Old Homs Tuesday due to “the lack of enough rebels to cover the space,” a pro-opposition activist told Syria Direct Tuesday. Rebels had captured Jeb al-Jandali Saturday in their first advance from Old Homs since Syrian government forces encircled the 13 neighborhoods in June 2012.

Meanwhile, the Syrian National Coalition said that rebels had also advanced in the Homs suburb of al-Ghasibiyeh, 18 kilometers north of Old Homs and two kilometers from the Syrian army stronghold at the College of Military Engineering in the town of al-Masharfeh, killing local National Defense Force leader Yamin a-Nejem. Last week, the Syrian government intensified shelling on the 13 rebel-held neighborhoods of Old Homs, encircled by government forces since June 2012. Earlier this year, rebels in Homs province announced a campaign, titled Qadimoun, intended to break the siege on the encircled neighborhoods. To this point, al-Masharfeh is the farthest they have advanced since June 2012.