HOMS, (TDI): Syrian opposition fighters have reached the suburbs of Damascus as part of a rapidly moving offensive that has seen them take over some of Syria’s largest cities across the country.
The rebels also pressed their rapid advance on Saturday, taking control of much of the southern region as government forces fortified their positions around the central city of Homs, a crucial stronghold in President Bashar al-Assad’s battle to retain power.
In the wake of a stunning rebel sweep into Aleppo a week ago, government defenses across the country have crumbled with alarming speed.
Insurgents have seized a series of major cities and reignited uprisings in areas where the rebellion had long appeared to be under control.
In addition to Aleppo in the north, rebels now hold Hama in the center and Deir al-Zor in the east.
They also reported taking control of key southern cities, including Quneitra, Deraa, and Suweida, and have advanced to within 50 kilometers of Damascus, the capital.
On Saturday, videos posted to social media showed rebels celebrating in Deraa, firing into the air and toppling a statue of Hafez al-Assad, the late father of the current president.
Deraa became the fourth major city to fall to the rebels in just one week, underscoring the momentum of the opposition forces.
The rebels are now closing in on the critical city of Homs, where government forces are mounting a desperate defense.
State television and military sources reported heavy airstrikes targeting rebel positions, and a new wave of reinforcements was said to be arriving to shore up defenses around the city.
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Rebels also claimed to have captured Sanamayn, a town on the key highway connecting Damascus to Jordan, further expanding their control in the southwest.
Syrian military officials, while acknowledging the shifting dynamics on the ground, did not confirm the loss of these territories, stating only that they were repositioning forces.
The rapid pace of events has sent shockwaves through Arab capitals, raising concerns about the potential for further regional instability.
Qatar, in particular, warned on Saturday that Syria’s territorial integrity is now under serious threat.
Syrian civil war
Since the Syrian civil war erupted in 2011 as an uprising against Assad’s rule, the conflict has drawn in major international powers, sparked the rise of jihadist militant groups, and led to a massive refugee crisis in neighboring countries.
As the war drags on, the Assad regime has increasingly relied on foreign allies for support. Russian warplanes have provided critical air support, while Iran has sent forces, including fighters from Lebanon’s Hezbollah and Iraqi militia groups, to bolster Assad’s military efforts.
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However, these alliances have been strained in recent months. Russia, heavily involved in the war in Ukraine since 2022, has seen its capacity to aid Assad diminish.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah, embroiled in its own ongoing conflict with Israel, has suffered significant losses, further limiting its ability to assist Assad’s forces.
Russia’s Support for Assad
In light of these challenges, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov pledged Moscow’s continued support for Assad, framing the fight against what he described as “terrorists” as central to the Syrian government’s survival.
Lavrov called for dialogue between the Damascus government and what he termed the “legitimate opposition,” though he did not specify which groups this might include.
Russia’s naval and air bases in Syria have not only been instrumental in supporting Assad’s regime but have also served as key assets for projecting Russian influence in the Mediterranean and Africa.
Despite Moscow’s continued rhetoric of support for Assad, the situation on the ground suggests that his ability to maintain control over Syria is increasingly uncertain.
