Fierce fighting is intensifying in Syria as rebel forces advance towards the capital, Damascus. According to Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, opposition fighters are now active in the Damascus suburbs of Maadamiya, jaramana, and Daraja. Rahman also reported that Assad’s opponents are moving from eastern Syria towards the suburb of Harasta.
“Our forces have begun the final phase of encircling the capital Damascus,” Hassan Abdel Ghani, a military chief of the Islamist alliance leading the offensive, declared on Saturday. Ghani stated that the offensive is progressing from southern Syria towards Damascus.
The Syrian Observatory,which gathers data from a network of sources within Syria,has reported a rapid advance of the offensive towards Damascus. Initially, “local groups” seized near-total control of the Daraa and Suweida provinces in southern Syria before pushing further north.
However, conflicting reports have emerged regarding a potential withdrawal of Assad’s opponents from southern syria. Reuters reported an unconfirmed agreement for an orderly withdrawal of rebel forces from Daraa and Suweida.The Syrian government has also spoken of a military repositioning in these provinces. The Syrian state agency SANA, citing the military, stated that government troops were adjusting their positions after “terrorist elements” attacked army checkpoints.
The situation in Syria remains highly volatile, with the outcome of the ongoing offensive uncertain. The potential fall of Damascus to rebel forces would represent a significant turning point in the long-running civil war.
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The Syrian conflict has raged for over a decade,claiming hundreds of thousands of lives and displacing millions more. The recent rebel advance towards Damascus marks a perhaps decisive moment in the ongoing struggle for control of the country.
In a stunning turn of events,Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s forces are facing a multi-pronged offensive across the country,with rebel groups making significant gains in both the south and northwest.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that Assad’s army has withdrawn from the southern province of Kuneitra, which borders Israel. “Kuneitra province is ‘free from the Syrian army for the first time,'” said Rami Abdulrahman, the head of the observatory.
The offensive in the south is being spearheaded by Druze militias, who have reportedly seized control of most government bases in the city of Suweida. Reports indicate that large numbers of Syrian soldiers have deserted their posts, with some fleeing to neighboring Iraq. Turki al-Mahlawi, the mayor of al-Kaim, an Iraqi border town, told Reuters that 2,000 Syrian soldiers had crossed into Iraq.
The province of Daraa, where the uprising against Assad began in 2011, is also under threat. The region, which has been under government control since 2018, holds both strategic and symbolic importance.
Adding to Assad’s woes, Islamist fighters from the militia Haiat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and their allies have made significant advances in the northwest, capturing major cities like aleppo and Hama. The HTS,classified as a terrorist association by both the U.S. and the EU, is leading the charge towards the strategically vital city of Homs. Despite initial reports suggesting a halt, HTS-led units continued their advance into Homs on Saturday, entering the city from the north and east.
In the east, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), dominated by Kurdish militias, have seized control of the strategically significant city of Deir al-Sor, after government troops withdrew.
The rapid unraveling of the Syrian government’s grip on power has prompted neighboring countries to take precautionary measures. Jordan has closed one of its two main border crossings with Syria, while Lebanon has shut down all but one. Iraq has urged its citizens planning to leave the country to register with diplomatic missions.
Israel, which has annexed part of the Golan Heights, has also been drawn into the conflict. The Israeli army reported assisting UN observer troops stationed in the golan Heights in repelling an attack by Syrian rebels. Israel has deployed additional troops to the annexed portion of the golan Heights and is reportedly preparing for a potential collapse of the Syrian army.
“The Syrian Defense ministry also rejected information about the army’s withdrawal around Damascus,” according to reports.
Despite the Syrian government’s denials, the situation appears increasingly precarious for Assad. The simultaneous offensives across the country, coupled with the desertions and border closures, paint a grim picture for the embattled Syrian leader.
Graphics: APA/ORF.at; Quelle: dpa/ISW
## Analyzing the Latest Developments in Syria’s Civil War: An Expert Interview
**World Today News**: The situation in Syria appears to be rapidly shifting. We’re witnessing intense fighting with rebel forces advancing towards the capital, Damascus. Can you give our readers a clearer picture of what’s happening on the ground?
**Expert**: The current situation in Syria is arguably the most dynamic we’ve seen in years. rebel forces, notably those aligned with the Islamist alliance, are making significant gains across the country, putting enormous pressure on the Assad regime.
we’ve seen a rapid advance from the south, encompassing the provinces of Daraa and suweida, with reports indicating the rebels have even taken control of Kuneitra province, bordering Israel. The rebels are now pushing north, with key suburbs like Maadamiya, Jaramana, and Daraja falling under their control.
**World Today News**: There seem to be conflicting reports about a potential withdrawal of rebel forces from southern Syria.Can you shed some light on this?
**Expert**: This is indeed a point of confusion. While some sources suggest an agreement for an orderly withdrawal of rebel forces from Daraa and Suweida, this hasn’t been independently confirmed. The Syrian government claims they are merely “repositioning” their troops in these areas after clashes with “terrorist elements”. It’s unlikely the situation is resolved as simply as it appears on the surface.
**World Today News**: what are the strategic implications of this rebel offensive?
**Expert**: The potential fall of Damascus woudl be a cataclysmic shift in the Syrian civil war. It would represent a major blow to the Assad regime and its international allies, possibly leading to a complete reordering of power dynamics in the country.
However, it’s significant to remember that the situation remains highly volatile. The Syrian government still controls significant resources and military capabilities, and external powers like Russia and Iran continue to provide support.
**World Today News**: How do you see this conflict unfolding in the near future?
**Expert**: Predicting the outcome of this war is extremely difficult. much depends on the course of the rebel offensive, the response of the Assad regime and its allies, and the involvement of regional and global powers.
what is clear is that the conflict is far from over and the humanitarian crisis will continue to worsen. We can expect continued fighting, displacement, and civilian casualties in the months to come.
**World Today News**: Thank you for yoru insights on this rapidly evolving situation.
This interview allows World today News to provide its readers with a nuanced understanding of the complex developments in Syria,highlighting the strategic stakes involved and the uncertainties that characterize the ongoing civil war.
