Sat Dec 07 15:12:25 UTC 2024: ## Syrian Rebels Surge Forward, Challenging Assad’s Regime: Russia Vows to Counter “Terrorists”

**DOHA, QATAR** – A rapid advance by Syrian rebels, seizing key cities including Aleppo and Hama, has thrown Syria’s civil war into renewed turmoil. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, speaking at the Doha Forum on Saturday, stated that Russia, Iran, and Turkey are working to halt the offensive and promote dialogue between the Syrian government and what they term the “legitimate opposition.”

Lavrov, alongside his Iranian and Turkish counterparts, called for an immediate end to hostilities and the full implementation of UN Resolution 2254, which emphasizes Syria’s sovereignty and a Syrian-led political process. While acknowledging the rebels’ significant gains – including advances toward Homs and in the Damascus countryside – Lavrov avoided directly commenting on the viability of President Bashar al-Assad’s continued rule, stating he was “not in the business of guessing.”

However, he stressed Russia’s determination to prevent the rebels, led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group, from achieving their objectives. He explicitly condemned the use of “terrorists” for geopolitical purposes and vowed to take steps to prevent their victory.

Al Jazeera reporters on the ground noted the Syrian government’s weakened position compared to 2016, largely due to Russia’s preoccupation with the war in Ukraine – leading to a withdrawal of military resources from Syria – and the involvement of both Iran and Hezbollah in other conflicts. This, the reporters claim, has created a power vacuum that the rebels have exploited.

Analysts like Samuel Ramani of the Royal United Services Institute suggest Lavrov’s statements aim to project an image of strength and control, downplaying concerns about Assad’s regime’s imminent collapse. Ramani noted that the speed of the rebel advance appears to have caught Moscow off guard, with Russia seemingly lacking a clear strategy to maintain Assad in power. The situation remains highly volatile, with the outcome of this renewed conflict far from certain.

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