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The Islamist-led coalition, led by the group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), has announced that they are closing in on the capital
An anti-government fighter gestures from inside a vehicle patrolling the streets of Hama after they captured the central Syrian city, on December 6, 2024. (AFP photo)
Syrian rebels on Saturday claimed that they are in the final phase of encircling the capital, Damascus, as part of a major offensive, while Bashar al-Assad’s government forces denied any withdrawal from areas near the city.
The Islamist-led coalition, led by the group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), has announced that they are closing in on the capital.
“Our forces have begun the final phase of encircling the capital, Damascus,” said rebel commander Hassan Abdel Ghani, adding the rebels are now within 20 kilometres of Damascus.
However, the Syrian government flatly denied any retreat, with the Ministry of Defence stating, “There is no truth to news claiming our armed forces, present in all areas of the Damascus countryside, have withdrawn.”
Despite the Syrian government’s denial, Abdel Ghani and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported significant setbacks for the government forces, including the loss of southern Daraa province and military positions in Quneitra near the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.
The war monitor further added that government forces were also withdrawing from towns just 10 kilometres (six miles) from Damascus.
Abdel Ghani earlier confirmed that “our forces were able to control the Saasaa (security) branch in the Damascus countryside. The advance towards the capital continues.”
The conflict has seen rising civilian casualties as government forces, with support from their ally Russia, have launched airstrikes and artillery bombardments to slow the rebel advance. At least seven civilians were killed in strikes near Homs on Saturday.
The rebel gains mark a dramatic escalation in Syria’s long-standing civil war, which had largely reached a stalemate in recent years. With the capture of key cities like Aleppo and Hama, the rebels now find themselves at the doorstep of Damascus, bringing the fight directly to President Bashar al-Assad’s seat of power.
Earlier today, Abdel Ghani, in a statement on Telegram, reassured the local population, saying, “We ask that all sects be reassured… for the era of sectarianism and tyranny has gone away forever.”
Syria’s diverse religious and ethnic minorities have long been caught in the crossfire of the civil war, but the rebels have pledged to protect them from further persecution.
The Syrian government has responded by redeploying forces to defend its southern provinces, including Sweida and Daraa, as it battles to retain control of strategic areas. Despite this, the Syrian Observatory confirmed that Daraa, once a key stronghold of the uprising, is no longer under government control.
Meanwhile, amid the intensifying rebel offensive, Lebanon’s Hezbollah has deployed 2,000 fighters to Syria’s Qusayr area, near the Lebanese border.
A key ally of President Assad’s regime since 2011, Hezbollah has been supporting Syrian government forces. However, sources suggest that the group has not yet taken part in the fighting, instead positioning itself to protect its interests along the Syria-Lebanon border.
(With inputs from AFP)
- Location :
Beirut, Lebanon