HTS rebels can capture Syria’s capital Damascus today, Russia and Iran have deserted them, will Assad flee the country?
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s fortress can collapse anytime. Assad’s government forces are continuously losing to the rebels. Rebel forces led by the Islamic group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) are now present only 20 kilometers away from the capital Damascus. Al Arabiya quoted opposition forces commander Hassan Abdul Ghani as saying that the rebels have captured Sanamine, advancing within 20 kilometers of the southern entrance.
Analysts say that the rebels can reach the capital Damascus today on Saturday. The rebels, who suddenly started the attack a week ago, have achieved great success against the Syrian government army. The rebels have captured several major cities and have risen in places where the rebellion seemed to be ending for a long time.
Rebels capture the fourth major city Daraa
Apart from capturing Aleppo in the north and the major city Hama in the center, the Islamic rebels have also claimed to have established control over southern Suweida and Daraa. Videos of rebels celebrating in these cities have been posted. The Syrian army has said that it is carrying out air strikes around Hama and Homs and is increasing its strength on that front. The Syrian army also said that it is re-establishing its position near Daraa and Suwayda.
Assad’s army forced to retreat
These incidents have surprised the Arab world. Qatar said on Saturday that this threatens Syria’s territorial integrity. Western officials say that the Syrian army is in a difficult situation. It is unable to stop the advance of terrorists and is forced to retreat.
Assad has long relied on allies to control the rebels. Russia bombed Assad’s opponents with its fighter jets, while Iran sent allied forces including Lebanon’s Hezbollah and Iraqi militias to help the Syrian army. But Russia itself is currently badly embroiled in the war in Ukraine and almost the entire leadership of Hezbollah has perished in a fierce war with Israel.
Russia and Iran left the alliance
Bloomberg quoted a person close to the Kremlin as saying that Russia has no plans to save Assad. The current situation shows that a big crisis has arisen for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. If the Syrian army fails to stop the rebels, Assad may have to flee from Damascus. Russia on Friday appealed to its citizens to leave the country. At the same time, an Iranian official told Reuters that Tehran has started evacuating the families of diplomats from Syria.
Israel’s role is also important
Hezbollah chief Na’i Qassim has promised support to the Syrian president and said that the group will do whatever it can. Meanwhile, Hezbollah has been reported to have sent monitoring forces to fight in the city of Homs on Friday, but Western officials say that any significant deployment would risk Israeli air strikes. Lebanon said that on Friday Israel attacked two crossings on the Lebanon-Syria border.
