Syrian rebel advances tear at Assad's control as Iran races to send support

BEIRUT/AMMAN/DUBAI - Syrian rebel forces advanced on the central city of Homs and Kurdish fighters seized effective control of the eastern desert on Friday, jolting President Bashar al-Assad's grip on power and triggering local revolts against his rule in the south.

Syrian rebel advances tear at Assad's control as Iran races to send support

BEIRUT/AMMAN/DUBAI - Syrian rebel forces advanced on the central city of Homs and Kurdish fighters seized effective control of the eastern desert on Friday, jolting President Bashar al-Assad's grip on power and triggering local revolts against his rule in the south.