The Assad regime is finished, rebels control Damascus and Homs: everything that is known about the war in Syria Irina Chebotnikova Vladislav Kravtsov For several days now, the situation in Syria has been discussed online. There, quite unexpectedly, a serious offensive against the positions of dictator Bashar al-Assad, who is supported by Russia, has begun. Channel 24 has collected details about what is happening in the Middle East. Another piece of news from the region is the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah. The parties agreed to a two-month truce, but soon exchanged accusations of violating the ceasefire. On the morning of December 8, it became known that the multi-week saga in Syria was probably coming to an end. Syrian rebels took control of the key city of Homs and the country's capital Damascus. The media, citing the Syrian army command, reported that Syrian President Bashar Assad has ended his rule. They themselves have already stated that Damascus is “free of Assad”. Opposition forces entered Damascus with virtually no resistance. Several hours before this, the rebels announced that they had gained full control over the key city of Homs only after a day of fighting. Reuters writes that Bashar Assad flew out of Damascus in an unknown direction. The Syrian prime minister says the president is still in the capital and is going to cooperate with any government that the Syrians choose.
The Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria has come to an end/liveuamap You can read below about the events of these past few days in chronological order The Syrian opposition offensive began on November 27. The Bashar al-Assad government claimed that the attack was indeed large, but predictably blamed it on “terrorists.” The latter have heavy weapons and drones and have already captured a number of villages. Assad's military “fortified all places along the various battle fronts.” The rebels, however, said that they entered some areas of Aleppo. Earlier, they captured the Military Scientific Research Center on the outskirts of the city. The sides exchanged accusations regarding the attack on a student dormitory at the University of Aleppo, where four people were killed. Showing Aleppo on the map: On the 28th, 15 civilians were killed and 36 were wounded. This happened as a result of airstrikes and shelling on rebel-held areas in Aleppo and the Idlib countryside. It was not only the Syrians who bombed, but also the Russians. In total, several hundred people could have died during the fighting on both sides, including several Russian special forces. Rebels go into battle: watch the video This is a significant change in the situation. After all, the city has been under Assad's control since 2016: the dictator regained it thanks to brutal bombing by Russian aircraft. From 2012 to 2016, Aleppo was in the hands of the rebels. Gray-green and blue – rebel advance on November 29/Levant24 Judging by the map, the rebel advance cut the M5 highway. It connects Aleppo (Syria's second largest city) with Damascus, the country's capital. There were reports that government troops were fleeing their positions, and Aleppo itself was not ready for a long defense. Among the rebel trophies, they say there are 31 tanks, 20 infantry fighting vehicles, and 3 self-propelled howitzers. They may also have captured a large warehouse of Russian weapons. Captured Russian KAMAZ truck in Syria: watch the video Bashar al-Assad has ruled Syria since 2000. The war in this country has been going on since 2011. Then, during the Arab Spring, Assad suppressed the uprising against his regime and a civil war began.A ceasefire agreement was signed in 2020, so since then the clashes have been local. By the way, the agreement was concluded between Turkey and Russia. Syria's key allies are Iran and Russia. Moscow intervened in the war in 2015. Now Peskov has called on Assad to “quickly restore order and restore constitutional order.” In turn, Tehran promised to continue to support Syria, and blamed the United States and Israel for the situation. As for the situation around Aleppo, this is an attack on Syria's sovereignty, and we advocate that the Syrian authorities restore order in the territory as quickly as possible and restore constitutional order, Peskov said. Russia shells Idlib and Sarmada: watch the video Russia's concern is understandable, since it has access to the port of Tartus in Syria, the Khmeimim airbase, and probably maintains intelligence bases in the country. And, of course, exports weapons there. They even say that Assad urgently flew to Moscow for talks with Putin. But Peskov got off with the traditional excuse “I have nothing to say about this.” They were rapidly advancing from the west, there was even a joke that OSINT analysts did not have time to draw maps. The authorities closed the Aleppo airport, as well as all roads leading to the city. But this did not help: rebels entered the center of Aleppo. They captured a police station and released hundreds of prisoners. People were setting off fireworks. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and allied groups had taken control of most of the city, government centers and prisons. Video footage from the scene showed footage of an ancient fortress in Aleppo. Therefore Russian warplanes carried out airstrikes on areas of Aleppo for the first time since 2016. Subsequently Assad's troops announced their withdrawal from Aleppo and preparations for revenge. They admitted that they had suffered losses, but assured that they were waiting for reinforcements. Russia promised support within 72 hours – weapons will be delivered to the Khmeimim airbase. Anadolu reports that more than 70 settlements in northwestern Syria are under the control of the rebels. What territory do the rebels control in Syria now/Levant24Assad admitted defeat, the Syrian army capitulated
The rebels in Syria were advancing rapidly
Why the capture of Aleppo is important
How events in Syria affect world politics and what threat they pose to Moscow
Rebels captured Aleppo
Rebels Capture New Cities, with Damascus Next
CNN journalists reported on December 7 that Syrian rebels have taken control of the city of Dar'a, the epicenter of the 2011 uprising, and are advancing on the capital Damascus.
The offensive against the regime of President Bashar al-Assad is intensifying in both the northern and southern regions surrounding the capital.
At the same time, Kurdish forces in Syria announced their invasion of the eastern parts of the country. The Kurds, who have established considerable autonomy in northeastern Syria during a decade of civil war, are worried that their gains could be jeopardized by the advance of the Syrian opposition. Although the rebels' main goal is to challenge the Assad regime, Kurdish fighters fear that the escalation of violence could spread to their territory.
Later, media outlets reported that the Syrian city of Palmyra is also already under rebel control. Over the past four days, Assad's Syrian army has left Hama, Deir ez-Zor and Aleppo, and fighting continues in the vicinity of Homs.
Syrian Palmyra is already under the control of rebels: watch the video
It is also reported that Hayat Tahrir al-Sham militants have captured portable air defense systems and air defense systems, which is making it very difficult for Russian aviation to operate.
Meanwhile, Syrian government forces are beginning to withdraw from the T4 (Tifor) military base east of Homs.
Rebel forces have also reportedly captured the Al-Tala airbase in Suwayda, a strategic facility previously held by the Syrian Air Force, and they claim to have taken control of the city of Quneitra, located near the Israeli border.
Rebel commanders say their forces have advanced up to 20 kilometers from the Syrian capital, Damascus, and are now entering the final stages of encircling the city.
Syrian rebels also say they are already 5 kilometers from central Damascus. The Syrian opposition military is also only 7 kilometers away from Assad's palace, and there is already information about local battles in the vicinity of the Syrian capital.
In addition, near Damascus, the Syrians are tearing down monuments to Bashar al-Assad's father, Hafez al-Assad. The military, police and officials are fleeing the city.
Syrians are tearing down monuments to Hafez al-Assad near Damascus: watch the video
Assad could take his family to Moscow
The Wall Street Journal, citing Syrian and Arab officials, wrote that Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad, as of December 6, remained in Syria. At the same time, his family left for abroad.
According to the publication, his children and wife left for Russia last week, and his son-in-law left for the United Arab Emirates.
Prior to this, Turkish publications reported that Assad and the Syrian government allegedly left Damascus. Journalists wrote that the Syrian dictator and his family left for Tehran due to the offensive of opposition forces.
