Sun Dec 08 10:22:06 UTC 2024: ## Syrian Rebels Claim Victory, Damascus Falls After Rapid Advance
**Damascus, Syria** – Rebel groups have launched a stunning offensive across Syria, seizing control of Aleppo, Hama, and Homs before reportedly entering the capital, Damascus. Following their advance, the rebels declared the liberation of Syria, claiming President Bashar al-Assad has fled the country. While Assad’s departure remains unconfirmed, rebel factions have announced that the Prime Minister will assume control of public institutions.
The rebels broadcast messages via state television and radio, declaring the end of Assad’s rule following the Sunday capture of Damascus. However, Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazali al-Jalali stated he remains in Damascus and is committed to working for the people’s interests. In a social media post, he expressed hope for a Syria with positive relations with its neighbors and the international community.
Opposition leader Hadi al-Bahra echoed these sentiments, stating to Al-Arabiya news that Assad’s government had fallen and that a dark chapter in Syrian history had closed. However, accounts from within Damascus paint a picture of uncertainty and fear. Zaina Shahla, a 42-year-old journalist residing in the capital, described deserted streets and widespread panic as residents rushed to gather essential supplies. Similar accounts of closed shops, shortages, and empty ATMs were reported by Rim Turkmani, whose sister lives in Damascus.
The speed of the rebel advance, spearheaded by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), has taken many by surprise. Damascus, relatively untouched by the intensity of fighting seen in other cities over the past decade, is now facing a rapidly shifting situation. An unnamed US official told CBS News that Damascus is seeing a piecemeal takeover by rebel forces. Video footage has emerged showing protesters in the Damascus suburb of Zarama destroying a statue of Hafez al-Assad, Bashar al-Assad’s father. The Syrian government, meanwhile, has denied rumors of Assad’s departure and stated that a strong military cordon remains around the capital.
The rebels’ capture of Homs, Syria’s third-largest city, is a significant strategic victory, cutting off Damascus from the coastal regions that are a stronghold of Assad’s Alawite community. Rebel commander Hassan Abdul Ghani claims government forces are evacuating the city and that senior officials are cooperating with the rebels. However, the Syrian Ministry of Defense denies these claims, insisting that government forces maintain a strong defensive position. Further south, rebels have seized Daraa and are reportedly advancing on Damascus from that direction. HTS leader Abu Mohammad al-Julani called the capture of Homs a historic victory.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reports over 800 deaths in recent fighting, with the UN citing 370,000 displaced persons, many fleeing from rebel advances. While the UN’s special envoy to Syria, Geir Pedersen, believes there is still a path to resolving the crisis, he acknowledges the potential for further deterioration. A meeting of Arab nations and foreign powers involved in the Syrian conflict ended with a joint statement highlighting the threat to regional and international security. The situation remains fluid and highly volatile.
First Piper 