Civil war in Syria
Rebels take over symbolic city
Updated on December 7, 2024 - 7:35 a.mReading time: 5 min.
The Islamist rebels in Syria are probably only a few kilometers away from Homs.Arab countries should pressure Assad to leave Syria.
The Islamist fighters in Syria are apparently continuing to advance rapidly in the country. After taking over the major cities of Aleppo and Hama in the northwest of the country, the group Haiat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and its allies are now just five kilometers from the city of Homs, the syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on Friday.HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Jolani reiterated the goal of overthrowing ruler Bashar al-Assad.
Syrian sources also report the first fighting in the capital Damascus. There were reportedly gunshots near Assad’s presidential palace and explosions at the Defense Ministry. Smoke is also said to be rising from the state television building. Meanwhile, the Kurdish armed forces are also using the chaos to gain further ground.
According to a report in the Wall Street Journal,Egyptian and Jordanian diplomats have advised Assad to leave the country and set up a government in exile. The Syrian dictator’s wife and his three children are said to be already in Russia, and a brother-in-law is said to have sought refuge in the United Arab Emirates.
The Islamist rebels have previously seized control of the southern city of Daraa, the starting point of the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad in 2011. It is the fourth city his forces have lost in a week. according to rebel circles, an agreement was reached for an orderly withdrawal of the military from Daraa.
An agreement grants army members safe passage to the capital Damascus, about 100 kilometers north. Daraa, which had a population of more than 100,000 before the civil war began 13 years ago, is symbolic as the cradle of the insurgency. It is the capital of a province with around a million inhabitants that borders Jordan.
Government security forces had previously left posts and bases, reported the Observatory, which tracks the war in the country with a network of informants. The insurgents therefore called on members of the syrian armed forces to defect.
According to the Observatory, government troops have also withdrawn from the city of Homs. Though, militias loyal to the regime are still stationed in Syria’s third largest city.Syrian military circles rejected reports of a troop withdrawal. The Syrian armed forces remain present in homs and the surrounding area. The military had previously denied similar reports as the rebel offensive reached the city of Hama. Military bloggers report that the rebels have also captured the town of Salamiyah, west of Homs.
Homs is the third largest city in the country after Damascus and Aleppo. On the way to Homs, the HTS and its allies entered the cities of Rastan and Talbisseh, the Observatory said. there was a “complete absence” of Assad government troops in these two cities.
If the Islamists also take Homs, this would cut off the connection between the southern capital Damascus and the Mediterranean coast. There are numerous strongholds of the Assad family on the coast.
On Friday, the army also withdrew from the city of Deir Essor in the east of the country, according to the observatory. The “regime forces” together with leaders of allied pro-Iranian groups “suddenly” withdrew from Deir Essor and its surrounding area, and entire convoys with soldiers were moving towards central Syria, the head of the observatory, Rami Abdel Rahman, told the AFP news agency.
The Iranian army has also apparently begun evacuating military commanders and personnel from Syria. According to a report in the New York Times, those who left include high-ranking commanders of Iran’s powerful Quds Brigades, the external branch of the Revolutionary Guard Corps. Members of the National Guard, some Iranian diplomats, their families and Iranian civilians were also evacuated, Iranian officials said.
What are the implications of the recent advances by Islamist fighters on the Syrian civil war’s dynamics?
Interview between Time.News Editor and middle East Expert: The Latest Developments in the Syrian Civil War
Editor: Thank you for joining us today. There’s been meaningful movement in Syria recently, especially with the advance of Islamist fighters. can you give us a brief overview of what’s happening on the ground?
Expert: Absolutely, it’s a pivotal moment in the Syrian civil war. Reports indicate that the Islamist rebel group Ha’yat Tahrir al-Sham, along with its allies, is now only five kilometers from Homs, which makes it one of the key cities still under the government’s control. Their momentum suggests they are not just pushing forward in rural areas but are also making inroads into more populous regions.
Editor: Homs has long been a critical city. How does this latest advancement fit into the broader picture of the ongoing conflict?
Expert: Homs is essential both strategically and symbolically. It has been a significant city since the uprising began in 2011.The fact that Islamist fighters are nearing it points to a possible shift in urban control dynamics. Notably,this could escalate violence in surrounding areas and possibly impact civilians caught in the crossfire.
Editor: We also heard reports of fighting in Damascus, which is quite alarming. What’s the situation there?
Expert: Yes, the clashes reported near Assad’s presidential palace and around the Defense Ministry signal a critical turn. The Syrian capital has been relatively stable compared to the rest of the country,so these developments suggest that even the core of Assad’s stronghold is experiencing instability. The state media is also reportedly under attack, and that chaos might be part of a broader rebellion that is spreading throughout the nation.
Editor: There’s a mention of the Kurdish armed forces taking advantage of the chaos. How do they fit into this scenario?
Expert: The Kurdish forces have typically leveraged instability to secure their own territory and interests. They are strategically positioned and have previously expanded their control in response to the weakening of the Syrian army. As violence escalates, it’s likely they’ll continue to consolidate power, especially given the absence of a strong centralized authority amidst the chaos.
Editor: There have also been diplomatic advisories from Egyptian and Jordanian diplomats urging Assad to leave Syria. What would such a move mean for the future of the country?
Expert: If Assad were to flee and form a government in exile, it could create a power vacuum. This would likely incite further fragmentation among various factions vying for control, including Islamist, Kurdish, and secular rebel groups. It’s a risky proposition that could lead to prolonged conflict, as no single group has demonstrated the ability to unify the country.
Editor: As the conflict evolves, how significant is it that we’ve seen the fall of multiple cities, such as Daraa in recent days?
Expert: Daraa is historically emblematic; it marked the beginning of unrest against Assad. Its loss, in conjunction with other key cities, reflects a worrying trend for Assad’s regime. The incremental erosion of his control might compel his allies, like Russia and Iran, to reconsider their support if it appears his regime is no longer viable.
Editor: What role should Arab countries play in this situation moving forward?
Expert: Arab countries, especially those neighboring syria, need to engage diplomatically with all factions, including the rebels and Kurdish leaders. They can exert pressure on Assad to consider a political settlement and provide humanitarian assistance to alleviate the situation. Ultimately, fostering dialog among various groups may help steady the situation and promote a more peaceful resolution.
Editor: Thank you for your insights. The situation in Syria remains complex and fluid, and we appreciate your expertise as we continue to monitor these developments.
Expert: Thank you for having me; it’s critical that we keep the spotlight on Syria during these tumultuous times.