ALEPPO – Syrian resistance groups are advancing to capture Damascus, with uprisings in nearby towns and skirmishes underway to oust Bashar al-Assad, who stayed in power for so long.
The fighters are seizing state-owned buildings and toppling statues of the Assad family, signaling a loss of control by the regime. In southern Damascus, some government soldiers are reportedly deserting their posts.
Forces also claimed to take full control of Daraa – a city that played a key role in sparking the revolution in 2011. A deal was earlier in talks for Syrian armed forces to withdraw from Deraa, with assurances of safe passage to Damascus.
Syrian army is conducting airstrikes near Homs in the center of the country, as rebels continue their advance southward. In the south, the impact of escalating conflict prompted neighboring Jordan to close its border with the Arab Republic.
UN reports said the rapid advance of the rebel offensive displaced over 0.4 million people, with over 800 killed since the offensive started, including 111 civilians.
Syria’s key allies, Moscow and Tehran now remained at backfoot amid peak conflict. Iranian military personnel even exit from Syria, while Russia, preoccupied with its ongoing war in Ukraine, has also advised its citizens to leave the nation of 23million.
Assad however still got back of Iran, and Russia though their military assistance has become increasingly limited. The outcome of battle for Homs and Damascus will likely be a decisive factor in the future of the country.
