Syria’s rebel alliance has claimed a pivotal victory in the ongoing civil war, declaring the capital, Damascus, under their control after a swift and coordinated offensive. A source familiar with the advance told reporters that rebel operatives have assumed key positions across the city, asserting that “militarily, Damascus has fallen.”
In a dramatic turn of events, the rebels have reported that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has fled the capital. However, Syria’s presidential office and Iranian officials have denied such claims, maintaining that Assad remains in Damascus. Meanwhile, U.S. officials have indicated that the collapse of Assad’s regime is imminent, as rumours swirl of high-ranking officers contemplating defection.
In a recorded statement, the Syrian prime minister assured citizens that the government is prepared “to cooperate with any leadership the people choose,” hinting at a potential transfer of power amid the country’s volatile political landscape.
This development comes shortly after the rebels secured a significant victory in Homs, Syria’s third-largest city, following their capture of Aleppo last week. The rebels describe Homs as “fully liberated,” a claim corroborated by jubilant scenes of residents tearing down portraits of Assad – an evocative reminder of the Arab Spring protests that swept the region more than a decade ago.
As the international community watches closely, this latest advance marks a critical juncture in Syria’s prolonged conflict, with the fate of the Assad regime hanging precariously in the balance.
Further developments are anticipated as rebel forces consolidate their hold on key territories.
