[ad_1]
Syrian rebels have seized a key southwestern city close to the Jordanian border and are claiming to be closing in on the capital of Damascus in a rapid offensive. The rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, led by commander Hassan Abdul Ghani, claimed to have secured the city centers of Daraa, Sweida, and Quneitra. Reports suggest that Jaramana, a Damascus suburb, is no longer controlled by the Syrian government, with verified videos showing people tearing down a bust of Hafez Al-Assad.
Independent verification is challenging due to limited access for journalists within Syria. The rebels’ advancement comes after taking control of Aleppo in the north and Hama in central Syria, forcing government forces out. The rebels’ capture of Daraa, the birthplace of the country’s civil war, and their advance on Homs would be significant strategic victories.
Syria’s army accused HTS of spreading videos to intimidate citizens and repositioned its forces in response. If the rebels capture Homs, only Damascus and Latakia would be under the government’s control, marking a critical turning point in the conflict. However, the outcome remains uncertain, dependent on the remaining fighting spirit of the Syrian army and support from Russia and Iran.
The collapse of government control in Daraa and the threat to Homs reveal growing vulnerabilities in Bashar Al-Assad’s hold on power. Conflict continues in various parts of the country, with fighting between government troops and rebel groups in multiple regions. Jordan has closed its border crossing due to security concerns, and Syrian government forces reportedly withdrew from the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights for the first time in decades. The ongoing offensive has resulted in over 820 casualties, including civilians, across Syria.
Photo credit
www.nbcnews.com
