Syrian opposition fighters have reached the suburbs of the capital, Damascus, and government forces are withdrawing from the strategic city of Homs as the rebels' surprising offensive picks up speed and President Bashar Assad's whereabouts are unknown.

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

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