On Saturday, December 7, anti-government forces continued to expand their control over Syria, positioning themselves approximately 30 miles (50 kilometers) from the capital, Damascus.
Since November 27, a coalition of opposition armed groups led by “Hayat Tahrir al-Sham” has launched a lightning offensive within Syria, resulting in the gradual retreat of the long-standing dictator Bashar al-Assad’s forces nationwide.
Currently, the opposition forces have seized control of several major cities, including Aleppo in the north, Hama in the center, Deir el Zor in the east, Suweida, Quneitra, and Deraa in the south.
They are now approximately 30 miles (50 kilometers) from the capital, Damascus, and are closing in on another “key” important city.
According to a report from the UK’s “Sky News,” the Syrian government forces are focusing on protecting Homs, a crucial western city, with the hope of using it as a defensive stronghold due to its strategic position, key to defending the capital.
The Syrian government forces still maintain control over Damascus, Homs, Latakia, and Tartus.
Jonathan Landis, a Syria expert from the University of Oklahoma, told “Sky News” that Homs is the “key” in this battle.
Occupying Homs would sever the connection between Damascus and Assad’s Alawite minority coastal strongholds and the Russian base.
A resident in the city mentioned continuous airstrikes and gunfire on Friday, with pro-Assad militia setting up checkpoints, leading to heightened tensions.
The Syrian government forces have long been supported by Russia and Iran. Iran and Russia, allies of Assad, along with Turkey, a major foreign supporter of the opposition armed groups, are set to hold a meeting on Saturday to discuss the crisis.
With Russia entangled in the Ukraine conflict, Iran involved in Israel’s actions in Gaza, and its proxy Hezbollah in Lebanon facing Israeli airstrikes, the Syrian government forces are exposed.
Observers note that Assad’s forces have never lost control over so many key cities in such a short period of time.
The last civil war in Syria began in 2011, with armed opposition groups resisting Assad’s rule and getting embroiled in proxy wars between external powers, resulting in over half a million deaths and forcing millions to seek refuge in neighboring countries.