Insurgents Make Major Advances in Syria, Prompting Panic in Damascus
Insurgents in Syria have made significant advances, reaching the suburbs of Damascus and causing panic among residents. The escalation in their offensive has led to rumors of President Bashar Assad fleeing the country, which the government has denied. The situation has drastically reduced government control, leaving only four out of Syria’s 14 provincial capitals under its authority.
The Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group has been at the forefront of these advances, with minimal resistance from government forces. This has prompted residents of Damascus to rush to stockpile essentials and some to flee to the border with Lebanon. Shops in the capital have closed down, and basic goods are either sold out or priced exorbitantly.
For the first time since 2018, opposition fighters have reached the outskirts of the city, including areas like Maadamiyah and Daraya. The rapid offensive by HTS has seen them capture key cities such as Aleppo and Hama, encircling Damascus in the process.
Diplomatic efforts to address the crisis have been underway, with foreign ministers and senior diplomats from various nations meeting in Doha, Qatar. U.N. special envoy Geir Pedersen has called for urgent talks in Geneva to implement a political transition, given the deteriorating situation on the ground.
As the Syrian government faces increasing isolation and a lack of support from allies like Russia and Iran, international leaders are urging swift diplomatic action to prevent further destabilization and preserve Syria’s territorial integrity.
FAQs Section
1. What has led to the panic in Damascus?
The advances of insurgents, led by the HTS group, reaching the suburbs of Damascus and rumors of President Assad fleeing the country have sparked panic among residents.
2. Which areas have the opposition fighters reached for the first time since 2018?
Opposition fighters have reached the outskirts of the city, including areas like Maadamiyah and Daraya, for the first time since 2018.
3. What key cities have HTS captured in recent days?
HTS has captured key cities such as Aleppo and Hama in recent days, as part of their rapid offensive.
4. Where did diplomatic discussions on Syria’s future take place?
Diplomatic discussions on Syria’s future took place in Doha, Qatar, where foreign ministers and senior diplomats from eight nations held discussions.
5. Who has called for urgent talks in Geneva to implement a political transition in Syria?
U.N. special envoy Geir Pedersen has called for urgent talks in Geneva to implement a political transition in Syria, highlighting the deteriorating situation on the ground.
6. Why is the Syrian government facing increasing isolation?
The Syrian government is facing increasing isolation due to a lack of support from allies like Russia and Iran, who are unable to provide the support they once did.
7. What are international leaders urging in response to the situation in Syria?
International leaders are urging swift diplomatic action to prevent further destabilization and preserve Syria’s territorial integrity.
8. How has the government’s control been affected by the insurgents’ advances?
The insurgents’ advances have drastically reduced government control, leaving it with only four of Syria’s 14 provincial capitals under its authority.
9. What has prompted residents of Damascus to take action?
The closure of shops, scarcity of basic goods, and rumors of President Assad fleeing the country have prompted residents of Damascus to rush to stockpile essentials and some to flee to the border with Lebanon.
10. What is the current focus of government forces in Syria?
Government forces in Syria have shifted their focus to defending the central city of Homs, allowing insurgents to make significant advances in other areas.
Tags
Tags: Syria, Damascus, Insurgents, HTS, Political Crisis, Diplomacy