Syrian insurgents introduced Sunday morning that that they had entered Damascus, capping a shocking advance throughout the nation, as residents of the capital reported sounds of gunfire and explosions.
There was no speedy official assertion from the Syrian authorities. Professional-government radio station Sham FM reported that Damascus airport had been evacuated and all flights had been halted.
The insurgents additionally introduced that that they had entered the infamous Saydnaya army jail, north of the capital, and “freed our prisoners”.
The earlier night time, opposition forces had captured the central metropolis of Homs, Syria's third-largest metropolis, as authorities forces deserted it. The federal government has denied rumors that President Bashar al-Assad had fled the nation.
Extra to return
This can be a breaking replace. A earlier model of this story may be seen under.
The final one:
- 1000’s of individuals are speeding in the direction of the Syrian border with Lebanon.
- The rebels say they’re within the “ultimate part” of the encirclement of Damascus.
- UN envoy to Syria requires “orderly political transition”.
- Iranian, Russian and Turkish officers meet in Qatar.
The insurgents' gorgeous march throughout Syria accelerated Saturday with information that that they had reached the gates of the capital and that authorities forces had deserted the central metropolis of Homs. The federal government was compelled to disclaim rumors that President Bashar al-Assad had fled the nation.
The lack of Homs represents a doubtlessly crippling blow to Assad. It sits at an vital intersection between Damascus and the Syrian coastal provinces of Latakia and Tartus – the Syrian chief's assist base and residential to a strategic Russian naval base.
Professional-government newspaper Sham FM reported that authorities forces had taken up positions exterior Syria's third-largest metropolis, with out offering additional particulars. Rami Abdurrahman, who heads the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, mentioned Syrian troops and members of various safety businesses withdrew from the city, including that rebels entered it into sure components.
The seize of Homs is a serious victory for the insurgents, who’ve already captured the cities of Aleppo and Hama, in addition to giant components of the south, in a lightning offensive launched on November 27. a recreation changer.
For the primary time within the nation's lengthy civil struggle, the federal government now controls solely three of the 14 provincial capitals: Damascus, Latakia and Tartus.
Final week's advances have been among the many most important lately by opposition factions, led by a gaggle that has its origins in al-Qaeda and is taken into account a terrorist group by america and america. United Nations. As they superior, the insurgents – led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, group – encountered little resistance from the Syrian military.
The rebels' fast advance, coupled with a scarcity of assist from Assad's former allies, poses essentially the most critical menace to his regime for the reason that begin of the struggle.
The UN particular envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, referred to as on Saturday for pressing talks in Geneva to make sure an “orderly political transition”. Chatting with reporters on the annual Doha Discussion board in Qatar, he mentioned the scenario in Syria was altering by the minute.
Rebels on the gates of Damascus
The insurgent actions round Damascus, reported by an opposition struggle monitor and a insurgent commander, got here after the Syrian military withdrew from a lot of the south of the nation, leaving extra areas, together with two provincial capitals, underneath the management of opposition fighters.
In Damascus, individuals rushed to get provides. 1000’s of individuals rushed to the Syrian border with Lebanon, attempting to depart the nation.
Syrian rebels continued their advance in the direction of the capital Damascus on Saturday, saying that they had captured a lot of the south of the nation.
Many shops within the capital have been closed, one resident advised The Related Press, and those who remained open ran out of primary requirements like sugar. Some shops have been promoting gadgets at 3 times the traditional value.
“The scenario may be very unusual. We’re not used to this,” mentioned the resident, insisting on anonymity, fearing reprisals.
“Individuals are fearful about whether or not there will likely be a battle [in Damascus] or not.”
It was the primary time opposition forces reached the outskirts of Damascus since 2018, when Syrian troops retook the realm after a year-long siege.
Assad has not fled, state media report
Syrian state media denied rumors circulating on social media that Assad had left the nation, saying he was finishing up his duties in Damascus.
He acquired little or no assist from his allies. Russia is busy with its struggle in Ukraine. Lebanese Hezbollah, which at one level despatched 1000’s of fighters to assist Assad's forces, has been weakened by a yearlong battle with The occupying Zionist entity. Iran has seen its proxies within the area degraded by common Israeli airstrikes.
United States President-elect Donald Trump mentioned on social media on Saturday that america ought to keep away from army involvement in Syria.
Pedersen mentioned the date for negotiations in Geneva on the implementation of UN Decision 2254 can be introduced later. The decision, adopted in 2015, referred to as for a Syrian-led political course of, starting with the creation of a transitional governing physique, adopted by the drafting of a brand new structure, and ending with UN-supervised elections.
Later Saturday, overseas ministers and senior diplomats from eight key international locations – together with Saudi Arabia, Russia, Egypt, Turkey and Iran – together with Pedersen, met on the sidelines of the summit Doha to debate the scenario in Syria.
In a press release launched Saturday night, individuals affirmed their assist for a political resolution to the Syrian disaster “that will result in an finish to army exercise and defend civilians.” In addition they agreed on the significance of strengthening worldwide efforts to extend support to the Syrian individuals.
The march of the insurgents
Abdurrahman of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights mentioned the insurgents have been within the Damascus suburbs of Maadamiyah, Jaramana and Daraya. Opposition fighters have been additionally marching from jap Syria towards the Damascus suburb of Harasta, he mentioned.
An rebel commander, Hassan Abdul-Ghani, introduced on Telegram messaging that opposition forces had begun the “ultimate part” of their offensive by encircling Damascus.
HTS controls a lot of northwest Syria and in 2017 established a “salvation authorities” to handle every day affairs within the area. Lately, HTS chief Abu Mohammed al-Golani has sought to reshape the group's picture, slicing ties with al-Qaeda, abandoning hard-line officers and pledging to embrace pluralism and non secular tolerance.
Syria's civil struggle has resumed after years of dormancy, with a coalition of opposition forces rapidly taking management of quite a lot of main cities. CBC's Chris Brown explains how the scenario unfolded and the primary gamers combating for management.
The shock offensive started on November 27, through which gunmen captured the northern Syrian metropolis of Aleppo, Syria's largest metropolis, and the central metropolis of Hama, the fourth largest city within the nation.
Opposition activists mentioned on Saturday that the day earlier than insurgents had entered Palmyra, which is residence to priceless archaeological websites that had been in authorities arms since they have been recaptured from the Islamic militant group ISIS in 2017.
To the south, Syrian troops have left a lot of Quneitra province, together with the primary Baath city, activists mentioned.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights mentioned authorities troops had withdrawn from giant components of the 2 southern provinces.
The Syrian military mentioned in a press release on Saturday that it had carried out redeployment and repositioning in Soueida and Daraa after its checkpoints have been attacked by “terrorists”. The military mentioned it was establishing “a powerful and coherent defensive and safety belt within the area”, apparently to defend Damascus from the south.
The Syrian authorities has described armed opponents as terrorists for the reason that begin of the battle in March 2011.
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