Damascus: Syrian rebels announced on Saturday their capture of Daraa, a southern city symbolic as the birthplace of the 2011 uprising against President Bashar al-Assad. This marks the fourth major city lost by Assad’s forces in just one week.
Rebel sources reported that the Syrian military agreed to withdraw from Daraa under a deal granting army officials safe passage to Damascus, located roughly 100 kilometers (60 miles) to the north. Social media videos showed rebels on motorcycles celebrating alongside residents, with gunfire ringing out in jubilation at Daraa’s main square.
The military and Assad’s government have yet to comment on the development, and Reuters could not independently verify the rebels’ claims.
Symbolic and Strategic Significance
Once home to over 100,000 residents, Daraa holds immense symbolic value as the cradle of Syria’s 2011 uprising. It is also the capital of a province with approximately one million people, strategically positioned near the Jordanian border.
The fall of Daraa comes as rebels claim to have reached the outskirts of Homs, a critical crossroads connecting Damascus to the Mediterranean coast. Capturing Homs would not only sever key supply lines to Assad’s coastal strongholds in Latakia and Tartus but also isolate Damascus from Russian naval and air bases.
“Our forces have liberated the last village on the outskirts of Homs and are now on its walls,” the leading rebel faction announced via Telegram. The coalition, which includes the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), called on pro-Assad forces in Homs to defect.
Growing Pressure on Assad’s Regime
The rebel offensive has forced thousands to flee Homs toward government-held regions along the coast. Meanwhile, Assad’s government faces increasing threats, with a U.S.-backed Kurdish alliance reportedly capturing Deir el-Zor in eastern Syria.
Adding to Assad’s challenges, Islamic State militants have reportedly regained control of some areas in eastern Syria. This resurgence has raised alarms about the broader implications for stability in the region.
Aron Lund, a fellow at the Century Foundation, noted the precarious position of Assad’s government, stating, “They are fighting for their lives at this point.”
Counterattacks and Shifting Dynamics
Syrian state media reported Russian-Syrian airstrikes targeting rebel positions in Hama, Idlib, and Aleppo, claiming over 200 insurgents were killed. Additionally, Iran-backed Hezbollah forces have been deployed to fortify defenses in Homs.
Despite these efforts, the swift rebel advance highlights a renewed momentum. This offensive has marked the fastest territorial gains in the conflict since it began 13 years ago, with rebels now controlling a strategic corridor stretching from Aleppo in the north to Daraa in the south.
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The ongoing conflict, which has claimed over 305,000 lives according to a 2022 UN report, continues to evolve. Assad’s reliance on allies like Russia, Iran, and Hezbollah is being tested as these players face their own crises, leaving his regime increasingly vulnerable.
HTS leader Abu Mohammed Al-Golani declared in an interview that the rebels are determined to topple Assad. “This operation broke the enemy,” he stated, underscoring the insurgents’ renewed confidence.
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