Syrian insurgents reach gates of Damascus, threatening decades-long Assad regime
The insurgents’ stunning march across Syria reached a new level of acceleration on Saturday as reports emerged that they had reached the gates of the capital and that government forces had abandoned the central city of Homs. Despite rumors circulating on social media that President Bashar Assad had fled the country, the government was forced to deny these claims.
The loss of Homs was a significant blow for Assad, as the city stands at a crucial intersection between Damascus, the capital, and Syria’s coastal provinces of Latakia and Tartus – key areas of support for the Syrian leader and home to a Russian strategic naval base. Pro-government news outlet Sham FM reported that government forces had taken positions outside Homs, while Rami Abdurrahman, head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, confirmed that Syrian troops and security agencies had withdrawn from the city, allowing rebels to enter certain parts.
The insurgents later declared that they had taken control of Homs, marking a major victory in their lightning offensive that began on November 27. With previous successes in capturing Aleppo and Hama, as well as large portions of the south, rebel control of Homs was seen as a game-changer by analysts.
The rebels’ advances towards Damascus were also significant, with reports indicating that they had reached the outskirts of the capital. The Syrian army’s withdrawal from much of the southern part of the country left more areas, including several provincial capitals, under the control of opposition fighters. This left the government with control of only three of 14 provincial capitals, namely Damascus, Latakia, and Tartus.
The rapid gains by the opposition factions, led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, posed a serious threat to Assad’s rule, especially with the lack of support from his allies. With Russia focused on the war in Ukraine, Hezbollah weakened by a conflict with Israel, and Iran facing setbacks from Israeli airstrikes on its proxies, Assad found himself increasingly isolated.
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump called for the United States to stay out of the Syrian civil war, while President Joe Biden’s national security adviser affirmed that the Biden administration had no plans for military intervention in Syria. UN Special Envoy Geir Pedersen called for urgent talks in Geneva to ensure an orderly political transition in Syria, while Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov expressed his concern for the Syrian people’s plight.
As the situation in Syria continued to evolve rapidly, people in Damascus rushed to stock up on supplies, and thousands attempted to leave the country via the border with Lebanon. Opposition forces were reported to be advancing in various suburbs of Damascus, with the insurgents encircling the capital in what was described as the “final stage” of their offensive.
The foreign ministers of Iran, Russia, Turkey, and other key countries gathered in Qatar to discuss the situation in Syria and called for an end to hostilities. Qatar’s top diplomat criticized Assad for failing to address the country’s underlying problems during the lull in fighting in recent years and warned of a threat to Syria’s territorial integrity if urgent action was not taken to start a political process.
The rapid developments in Syria indicated a significant shift in the conflict, with rebel forces making substantial gains and posing a serious challenge to Assad’s rule. The international community’s focus on finding a political solution to the crisis highlighted the urgency of the situation and the need for immediate action to prevent further escalation of the conflict.
