Tensions increase in Damascus as anti-government rebels push closer to regime-held areas. Fear grips the city as uncertainty looms. A resident said anonymously that People feel anxious and don’t know what to do for safety.
The streets reveal the crisis. Shops in the city center also remain closed, and food supplies dwindle. Blocked roads restrict movement, while unreliable communication networks leave many isolated. Military personnel, once omnipresent, are now scarce. Some soldiers have discarded their uniforms to blend in as civilians. Despite these developments, Syrian military officials deny any retreat.
On Saturday, rebels seized Daraa, the birthplace of the 2011 uprising, and advanced into Kanaker near Damascus. These gains unite Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and the Turkey-backed Syrian National Army (SNA). Both groups share the goal of toppling President Bashar al-Assad.
HTS, led by Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, plays a key role in the rebellion. Although it rebranded in 2017, its history as an al-Qaeda affiliate continues to spark controversy. The SNA, supported by Turkey, includes diverse factions, some of which clash with Kurdish forces in northern Syria.
In the south, Druze fighters joined the offensive after months of protests in as-Suwayda against Assad’s regime. Opposition groups now aim to encircle Damascus. Syrian military officials dismiss these claims, labeling them as propaganda designed to instill fear.
International responses vary. Russia reinforces Assad with airstrikes targeting rebel positions. Meanwhile, President-elect Donald Trump has advocated for U.S. non-intervention, stating, “This is not our fight.”
As rebels advance, the people of Damascus brace for an unpredictable and critical phase in Syria’s civil war. (Courtesy of CNN)
Also read: Astronaut Jared Isaacman Appointed NASA Administrator by Trump
