Syrian Rebels Breach Damascus Defenses, Threatening Assad’s Rule

Syrian rebels breached Damascus defenses, marking a critical point in the 24-year rule of President Bashar al-Assad.

The rebel offensive has taken the Syrian government by surprise, following the swift capture of Homs and Aleppo, two of the country’s most strategic cities.

As gunfire erupted in the streets of Damascus, the capital appeared poised for a dramatic shift in power.

Homs Falls

Homs, a city long regarded as a crucial battleground in Syria, fell to rebel forces after just one day of intense fighting.

Thousands of residents celebrated the city’s liberation, chanting slogans like “Assad is gone, Homs is free,” as youths tore down posters of the embattled president.

Rebels fired shots into the air in triumph, declaring Homs a symbol of their growing strength.

This victory comes as part of a coordinated offensive that has seen the Syrian government lose control over key areas at an alarming pace. With Homs under their control, the rebels have effectively paved the way for their advance toward Damascus.

HTS Leads the Charge

At the forefront of the rebel surge is Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a faction linked to al-Qaida and designated a terrorist group by the United Nations and the United States.

HTS has spearheaded the offensive, showcasing an unprecedented level of organization and strategy.

The group’s recent successes highlight the dwindling resistance of Assad’s forces, which have struggled to mount a meaningful defense in recent days.

The involvement of HTS has raised concerns among international observers, given the group’s extremist ideology. However, its role in the rebel coalition has undeniably shifted the balance of power in Syria’s long-running civil war.

Chaos in Damascus

As rebels breached the outskirts of Damascus, the city descended into chaos. Residents reported hearing intense gunfire near the city center, underscoring the deteriorating security situation.

While the source of the shooting remains unclear, the sounds of conflict reflect the growing proximity of rebel forces to the heart of Assad’s government.

For many in Damascus, the fall of Homs and the advance of rebels signal an uncertain future. “We can hear the fighting getting closer,” one resident told reporters. “It feels like everything is collapsing.”

Hezbollah Withdraws Key Forces

Adding to Assad’s woes is the withdrawal of Hezbollah fighters from critical areas near Damascus and Homs.

The Lebanese militia, a staunch ally of Assad, has begun repositioning its forces to Latakia in Syria and Hermel in Lebanon. This retreat has left significant gaps in the Syrian army’s defensive lines, further accelerating the rebel advance.

Sources close to Hezbollah have described the move as a strategic recalibration, but it has also highlighted the diminishing capacity of Assad’s allies to maintain their positions in the face of the rebel onslaught.

Trump Declares: “Not Our Fight”

In Washington, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump reiterated his opposition to American involvement in the Syrian conflict.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, “Syria is a mess but not our friend, & THE UNITED STATES SHOULD HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT. LET IT PLAY OUT. DO NOT GET INVOLVED!”

Trump also pointed to Russia’s apparent inability to stem the rebel advance, citing Moscow’s preoccupation with its war in Ukraine.

“Russia seems incapable of stopping this literal march through Syria,” he noted, adding that Syria has brought little strategic value to Russia despite years of military support for Assad’s regime.

Trump’s remarks reflect a broader hesitation in U.S. foreign policy circles about deepening American involvement in the region.

While some 900 U.S. troops remain stationed in northeastern Syria to combat Islamic State remnants, Trump’s statement suggests a pullback may be imminent.

Doha Diplomacy

Amid the escalating conflict, the foreign ministers of Iran, Russia, and Turkey convened in Qatar to discuss the deteriorating situation.

The diplomatic trio called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and a renewed push for a political solution.

Qatar’s foreign minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, expressed concern over Syria’s territorial integrity, warning that continued violence could further fracture the nation.

“Assad didn’t seize the opportunity to rebuild trust with his people,” Al Thani said, emphasizing the urgent need for negotiations to prevent the country’s total collapse.