In a pivotal development in Syria's protracted civil war, rebel forces have launched an ambitious offensive to encircle Damascus, the nation&rsquo;s capital. The operation exploits significant regime setbacks across the country, which have led to a strategic collapse of government control in key regions and the mass flight of thousands of Syrian troops into neighbouring Iraq.
Encirclement of Damascus
In the Damascus countryside, rebel forces have advanced into areas like Daraya, forcing regime troops to withdraw amidst growing local protests. With rebels rapidly closing in on the capital, the looming battle for Damascus may determine Syria's future trajectory.
The Assad regime&rsquo;s losses are compounded by the growing disillusionment among its military ranks, highlighted by widespread defections and desertions.
The offensive follows a week of dramatic territorial shifts, with rebels capturing critical southern cities such as Daraa and Suweida. These advances mark a rapid deterioration of President Bashar al-Assad&rsquo;s grip on power. Eastern regions, including Deir az-Zor and Abu Kamal, have been relinquished to the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), further amplifying the regime&rsquo;s precarious position.
Regime Exodus to Iraq
As government forces crumble, the exodus of soldiers to Iraq underscores the magnitude of the retreat. According to Iraqi media reports approximately 2,000 Syrian soldiers, including high-ranking officers, had crossed the border into Iraq. The withdrawal was reportedly coordinated with the SDF and approved by Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani.
This mass defection reflects a regime unable to maintain control over its disintegrating military apparatus, with significant implications for the conflict&rsquo;s trajectory.
Daraa and Suweida: The South Falls
In Syria&rsquo;s south, the rebel capture of Daraa&mdash;a symbolic city where the 2011 uprising against Assad began&mdash;marks a turning point in the war. This victory came just a day after rebels seized Hama, intensifying the pressure on regime forces.
In a striking development, anti-regime Druze militias have joined the rebellion, overrunning numerous army bases in Suweida province, a region that borders Jordan. Local reports indicate that hundreds of defeated regime troops are now seeking refuge in Druze community halls. The Khalkhala air base is now the sole remaining government stronghold in Suweida.
Adding to the regime&rsquo;s woes, the elite special forces headquarters in Suweida has experienced mass desertions, according to Druze militia media outlets. This marks a collapse of confidence among even the most elite units of Assad&rsquo;s forces.
Eastern Retreat: SDF Gains Ground
In eastern Syria, regime forces have vacated their positions in Deir az-Zor, Abu Kamal, and outposts in Hasakeh and Qamishli. The Kurdish-led SDF has swiftly assumed control, signaling a profound shift in the balance of power in the region.
This retreat indicates a calculated effort by the regime to consolidate its defenses around strategic centers, particularly Damascus, while ceding territory it can no longer effectively govern.
Continued Violence in Homs
Despite these setbacks, the Assad regime and its Russian allies continue to wield significant firepower. In Homs province, relentless artillery barrages and airstrikes against rebel positions have resulted in over 120 deaths, a grim reminder of the ongoing human toll of the conflict.
A Turning Point in the Civil War
The past week&rsquo;s developments represent one of the most significant shifts since the civil war began in 2011. For the Assad regime, the stakes have never been higher. With the rebels emboldened by their swift victories, the battle for Damascus looms as a potential watershed moment.
As the human cost of the conflict escalates, the world watches closely, with Syria&rsquo;s fate hanging in the balance. The outcome of this struggle could not only shape the region&rsquo;s geopolitical dynamics but also determine the trajectory of a war that has left millions displaced and untold lives shattered.
&nbsp;

Key rebel advances and regime retreats signal a major turning point in Syria’s civil war

Rebels Encircle Damascus Amid Syrian Regime Collapse

Key rebel advances and regime retreats signal a major turning point in Syria’s civil war

December 7, 2024 | 20:57 IST