Opposition military factions approach Damascus

Opposition military factions approach Damascus
Escalating Military Advances of Armed Factions in Central and Southern Syria
December 7, 2024, 12:53 pm

فصائل المعارضة

As armed factions prepare to advance toward the center of the city of Homs in central Syria, following their success in seizing several towns in the countryside of the province and on the outskirts of the city, these factions have made significant gains in southern Syria.

Local media sources reported today, Saturday, that the Syrian army has completely withdrawn from Quneitra province and the Mount Sheikh area. The sources added that the armed factions managed to control vast areas of rural Damascus following the army's withdrawal.

A Syrian military source confirmed that the factions have taken control of the Quneitra region in the Syrian Golan, near the border with Israel, according to statements reported by Reuters.

In the same context, local armed factions have managed to seize more towns in the southern province of Daraa, including the city of Sahnaya, which is located about 20 kilometers from the capital, Damascus. Rami Abdel Rahman, director of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, stated that "local fighters have succeeded in capturing the city of Sahnaya after the withdrawal of the regular forces from it."

For his part, Hassan Abdul Ghani, one of the military leaders of the factions launching a separate offensive in central Syria, announced that "our forces have entered the city of Sahnaya," noting that "this puts us less than 20 kilometers from the southern gate of the capital, Damascus," indicating coordination between the attacks.

Meanwhile, explosions were heard in rural Damascus, where official sources reported that they resulted from strikes on the militants' positions. The Syrian army had earlier announced that it had redeployed outside the city of Daraa after its positions were attacked by militants.

In a related development, Israel has prepared to bolster its military presence in the Golan Heights, occupied since 1967, sending additional reinforcements in anticipation of any developments that may arise from the situation along the Syrian border.

Since last week, armed factions launched a surprise offensive from Idlib province towards Aleppo, managing to seize it entirely, before entering the city of Hama and northern areas of Homs, with plans to also capture the heart of the city.

The local factions have also taken control of Daraa province, including the Nasib border crossing, prompting Jordan to close its border. Additionally, the local armed factions seized the city of Suwayda, entering police headquarters and other military sites belonging to the Syrian army, which announced its withdrawal from the city as part of a redeployment and repositioning of its forces.

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