Syrian insurgents have made significant gains in the suburbs of Damascus, taking over cities and pushing towards Syria’s capital. The Syrian army has withdrawn from southern Syria, leaving areas under the control of opposition fighters, while also sending reinforcements to defend the city of Homs. This offensive represents a major setback for President Bashar Assad, who is facing challenges from various fronts.
The shock offensive by opposition fighters, led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, has seen the capture of key cities like Aleppo and Hama. The group, with origins in al-Qaida, is aiming to overthrow Assad’s government. Iran’s military advisers have started leaving Syria, signaling a shift in the conflict dynamics. The situation has prompted a meeting between foreign ministers of Iran, Russia, and Turkey in Qatar to discuss the crisis in Syria.
The Syrian army’s redeployment and the advance of opposition forces pose a threat to Assad’s hold on power, with the potential loss of strategic locations like Homs. The rapid advances by insurgents have caught many by surprise, with concerns about Syria’s territorial integrity and the need for urgency in starting a political process to resolve the conflict. The situation is evolving rapidly, with implications for regional stability and international relationships.
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