The Syrian regime of Bashar al-Assad is facing a multi-pronged assault from rebel forces, emboldened by recent advances and the perception of weakness in the government’s defenses.As rebel groups make notable gains across the country, concerns are mounting about the stability of assad’s grip on power.
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a powerful Salafist group, continues its relentless push towards the strategically vital city of Homs. In a stunning display of momentum, rebels have advanced 40 kilometers in less than a day, capturing numerous towns along the way. Some of these towns were secured through agreements with local authorities, while others fell after fierce fighting.Despite Russian airstrikes, including the bombing of the Rastan bridge over the Orontes River, the rebel advance remains unstoppable, with fighters now encircling Homs.
“All measures have been taken to maintain security in the city, we call on the population of Homs to trust only the news issued by official sources,” declared provincial governor Namir Habib Majluf, according to the state-run SANA agency. While Syrian military sources deny reports of regular troops abandoning Homs, an atmosphere of panic is palpable in government-controlled areas. The army is fortifying access roads to Damascus, the capital, and reinforcing security in Latakia, a key coastal city.
Adding to the sense of urgency, the embassies of China and Russia have issued urgent advisories urging their citizens to evacuate Syria. “The embassy suggests that Chinese citizens in Syria take advantage of the fact that there are still commercial flights operating to leave the country as soon as possible,” announced the Chinese legation. The Russian embassy echoed this sentiment, recommending that citizens leave “considering the difficult military and political situation.”
In Daraa, the cradle of the 2011 uprising, local insurgent groups have seized control of several military checkpoints, security buildings, and weapons depots. Videos circulating online show rebels operating captured tanks, a stark symbol of the regime’s weakening grip. A newly formed “Southern Operations Command,” encompassing rebel forces from Daraa,Suweida,and Quneitra,has issued a statement calling on troops to defect from the regular army. some soldiers have already answered the call. “Our objective is Damascus and the meeting point is Umayyad Square,” the statement boldly declares.
In suweida, rebels have taken control of the provincial capital and the border crossing to Jordan, prompting Amman to close the crossing indefinitely.A Russian-brokered reconciliation process in these southern areas, which saw many rebels lay down their arms in 2018, has failed to address underlying social and political grievances. Last year, widespread protests erupted in the south, demanding Assad’s removal.
The situation in eastern Syria is also deteriorating rapidly. the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF),a coalition of Kurdish and Arab militias backed by the United States,have crossed the Euphrates River and captured the provincial capital of Deir al-Zor and a military airport. Government troops and allied pro-Iran militias fled their positions, allowing the SDF to seize the town of Al Bukamal, a key border crossing.
The resurgence of the Islamic State (ISIS) in the Syrian desert adds another layer of complexity to the conflict. ISIS has launched attacks on populations evacuated by the regime, exploiting the chaos and instability.
As the Syrian conflict enters a new and dangerous phase, the international community watches with growing concern. The outcome of these battles will have profound implications for the future of Syria and the wider region.
The Syrian civil war, a brutal conflict that has raged for over a decade, is witnessing a resurgence of activity as rebel forces make significant advances against the Assad regime.This renewed push comes amidst a power vacuum created by the weakening grip of the Syrian government and the opportunistic maneuvering of various factions vying for control.
The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a Kurdish-led militia backed by the United States, have captured key strategic locations in the northeast, including the town of Tal abyad, a crucial border crossing with Turkey. “We have liberated Tal Abyad,” SDF commander Mazlum Abdi declared. “This is a major victory for the Syrian people and a blow to the Assad regime.”
The SDF’s advance has also opened up a new front in the south of Raqa province, further pressuring the beleaguered Syrian government. Meanwhile, the Islamic State (ISIS), the notorious jihadist group that once controlled vast swathes of Syria and Iraq, is also seeking to exploit the chaos. ISIS cells have reportedly been activated in the central Syrian desert, claiming to have seized control of industrial zones in Homs and Deir al-Zor provinces.
“There is a growing movement of Islamic State mercenaries in the Syrian desert, in the south and west of Deir el Zor and in the Raqa countryside,” warned SDF leader Mazlum Abdi.
Adding another layer of complexity to the Syrian conflict is the stance of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has openly expressed support for the rebel advance. “After Idlib and Hama, [the opposition] advances with Homs and Damascus as objectives,” erdogan stated. “We are following developments through our intelligence agencies and the media, and we hope that this march on Syria continues without major problems.”
Turkey has long been a staunch supporter of the Syrian opposition, providing them with military and logistical aid. While ankara had previously toned down its rhetoric regarding regime change in Damascus, Erdogan’s recent comments signal a renewed willingness to see Assad ousted from power.
Erdogan’s position is further complicated by the ongoing presence of Turkish troops in northern Syria, where Ankara maintains control over a swathe of territory. Turkey has repeatedly stated its intention to remain in Syria until a political solution is reached, a stance that has drawn criticism from Damascus and its allies.
As the Syrian conflict enters a new and potentially volatile phase, regional powers are scrambling to position themselves. Iran,a key ally of the assad regime,is reportedly increasing its military support to Damascus,while Hezbollah,the Lebanese Shiite militia,has reportedly sent “supervisory forces” across the border into syria.
adding to the diplomatic flurry, the foreign ministers of turkey, Iran, and Russia are scheduled to meet in Qatar this weekend to discuss the Syrian crisis.The outcome of these talks, and the actions of the various players involved, will likely determine the trajectory of the Syrian conflict in the months to come.
## The Assad Regime Under siege: A Conversation with Dr. Alana Asfour
**World today News:** The situation in Syria appears to be rapidly deteriorating. Rebel forces are making substantial gains across the country, putting meaningful pressure on the Assad regime. Dr. Asfour, could you shed some light on the current situation and what these developments might mean for the future of Syria?
**Dr. Alana Asfour (middle East expert at the Institute for Strategic Studies):** The Syrian conflict is indeed entering a precarious and volatile new phase. The recent advances by various rebel groups,including Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) in the north and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the east,are undeniably putting immense pressure on the Assad regime.
Several factors contribute to this resurgence: the perceived weakness of the Syrian government’s defenses, a degree of emboldenment among rebel groups fueled by their recent successes, and the failure of past reconciliation efforts to address the underlying grievances of the population.
**World Today News:** The provincial governor of Homs conducted a press conference urging citizens to trust only official sources. This coincides with reports of troop movements and the fortification of key roads. Does this suggest that the regime is losing control of even major urban centers?
**Dr. Asfour:** The situation in Homs is certainly dire. The rapid advance of HTS towards this strategically crucial city, coupled with the encirclement by rebel forces, paints a worrying picture for the regime. The frantic efforts to secure access routes to Damascus and reinforce Latakia highlight a sense of panic within government circles. The fact that embassies are urging their citizens to evacuate adds another layer of urgency to the situation.
**World Today News:** Daraa, where the uprising began in 2011, is also seeing a resurgence of insurgent activity. What does this tell us about the broader failure of the Assad regime to secure any kind of lasting peace?
**Dr. Asfour:** daraa is a powerful symbol of the enduring discontent within Syria. The fact that local insurgent groups, now operating under the banner of the “Southern operations Command,” have seized control of checkpoints, security buildings, and even weaponry demonstrates the fragility of the regime’s hold on the south.
The 2018 Russian-brokered reconciliation process failed to address the essential social and political grievances that fueled the initial uprising. Last year’s protests clearly showed that the desire for Assad’s removal persists. The current developments in Daraa are a direct consequence of this underlying unrest.
**World Today news:** Looking east, the SDF’s capture of Deir al-Zor and Al Bukamal, including a military airport, represents another major setback for the regime. How significant is this development in the overall Syrian conflict?
**Dr. Asfour:** The SDF’s advances in the east are of immense strategic importance.
Deir al-Zor, a major provincial capital on the Euphrates River, and Al Bukamal, a key border crossing into Iraq, have long been contested areas. The SDF’s control over these strategic locations weakens the regime’s territorial hold and possibly jeopardizes its access to vital resources and supply lines.
**World Today News:** Dr.Asfour, how might these developments impact the wider region, notably considering the involvement of international actors like Russia and the United States?
**Dr. Asfour:**
The Syrian conflict is already a regional tinderbox, and these recent developments risk further destabilizing an already precarious situation.
The resurgence of ISIS, taking advantage of the chaos to launch attacks on vulnerable populations, adds another risky dimension to the conflict.
The involvement of international actors like Russia and the United States further complicates the picture.
These events necessitate a renewed international effort to find a lasting solution to the Syrian conflict. A failure to do so would not only prolong the suffering of the Syrian people but also pose a significant threat to regional and global security.
**World Today news:** Thank you for your valuable insights, Dr. Asfour.
