Syrian Rebels Advance Towards Damascus as Civilians Flee Amid Renewed Conflict
Damascus, Syria – The ongoing conflict in Syria escalated dramatically on Saturday, with opposition rebels moving closer to the capital, Damascus. Their advance has led to widespread panic in the capital, as thousands of civilians rushed to stock up on supplies and flee to Lebanon. The insurgents, primarily led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group, have reportedly captured significant portions of southern Syria, including key cities, after the Syrian army withdrew from several provinces.
The situation in Damascus, which had been relatively stable for several years, took a sharp turn when opposition forces reached the city’s outskirts. Rebel commanders and a war monitor confirmed that towns such as Maadamiyah, Jaramana, and Daraya were now under opposition control. As insurgents from the east moved towards the Damascus suburb of Harasta, the prospect of a full assault on the capital became more likely.
As chaos gripped the city, businesses in Damascus shuttered, and remaining shops struggled to meet demand for food and essentials. Prices soared, with reports indicating that some goods were being sold at triple their usual price. A local resident, speaking anonymously for safety reasons, described the atmosphere as “strange,” with many fearing an imminent battle for the capital.
The advance by HTS, an al-Qaeda-aligned group, marks one of the largest opposition offensives in recent years. Despite this, the Syrian army has struggled to resist, especially as many military forces were redeployed or withdrawn from the southern regions. In the face of this retreat, government forces have focused their efforts on defending the key central city of Homs, which sits on a vital route linking Damascus to the coast.
Syria’s state-run media swiftly denied rumors circulating on social media that President Bashar al-Assad had fled the country. These rumors intensified following reports of a swift rebel push towards the heart of the capital. However, the government maintains that Assad is continuing his duties in Damascus, where he is closely supported by his military and political allies, Russia and Iran.
The United Nations has called for an urgent political solution to the crisis. Geir Pedersen, the UN’s special envoy for Syria, urged for immediate talks in Geneva to discuss a peaceful transition of power, as outlined in UN Resolution 2254, which calls for a Syrian-led political process culminating in UN-supervised elections.
The advancing rebels have made significant gains over the past week, capturing the northern city of Aleppo and the central city of Hama, both vital urban centers. These gains are part of a broader strategy to overthrow Assad’s government, as confirmed by HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani in a recent interview.
Despite the rebel successes, the Syrian government still controls key provincial capitals, including Damascus, Homs, and Latakia, as well as the coastal city of Tartus, home to Russia’s primary naval base outside its borders. In the midst of these developments, regional powers are actively discussing Syria’s future. In Qatar, the foreign ministers of Iran, Russia, and Turkey met to assess the situation. Turkey, a key backer of the opposition, expressed concern over the rapid advance of rebel forces and called for a renewed push for political dialogue to preserve Syria’s territorial integrity.
The fall of southern cities such as Daraa and Sweida to the rebels underscores the weakening position of the Syrian government. As the rebels close in on Homs, a crucial battle looms that could potentially sever the government’s connection to its coastal stronghold.
On the international front, U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have made significant strides in the eastern Deir el-Zour province, further eroding Iran’s influence in the region. This shift also disrupts the Iranian supply line to Hezbollah and other pro-Iranian factions operating across Syria.
As the war enters this critical phase, the fate of President Bashar al-Assad remains uncertain. However, with insurgents now encircling Damascus and key international players pushing for a political solution, Syria stands at a crossroads, facing an uncertain and potentially decisive moment in its long-running civil war.
