Regime Denies Withdrawals and Claims Security Cordon Around Damascus
Regime Forces' Withdrawal from Strategic Sites in Rural Damascus Reveals Declining Ability to Protect Capital Despite Denial Attempts
December 7, 2024, 10:25 pm

Regime Denies Withdrawals and Claims Security Cordon Around Damascus

العاصمة السورية دمشق \ تعبرية \ متداول

Opposition factions led by HTS/Nusra Front, former Al-Qaeda branch in Syria, began preparing Damascus assault, concurrent with preparations to enter central Homs city after reaching its outskirts.

Syrian regime Interior Minister claimed securing security cordon around Damascus capital, claiming impossibility of breach. Armed factions reported "pushing more reinforcements from north and south to capital axes supporting ongoing operations."

HTS and allies announced final phase of Damascus "encirclement." Leader Hassan Abdulghani declared via Telegram Saturday, "Our forces began implementing final phase of capital encirclement."

Amid Syrian regime president's flight reports, regime presidency denied these reports, confirming his capital presence. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitored regime forces evacuating towns about 10 kilometers southwest Damascus, within field retreats series.

Observatory Director Rami Abdulrahman reported regime forces' withdrawal from several southwestern Rural Damascus towns, replaced by local fighters, also revealing "regime forces evacuating Sasa Military Intelligence Branch" in Rural Damascus, 25 kilometers from capital.

Hassan Abdulghani confirmed "factions controlling Sasa branch in Rural Damascus, continuing advance toward capital," while regime Defense Ministry denied forces' withdrawal from Rural Damascus areas, claiming "invalidity of any news regarding armed forces units' withdrawal from entire Rural Damascus areas."

Regime military source considered these reports media campaign weakening citizens' morale. Armed opposition announced complete control over southern Quneitra governorate, local factions confirmed grip on southern Daraa city and surrounding towns, indicating approach within 20km of capital.

Confrontations continued around central Homs city, with factions seeking city invasion. HTS and allies since last week, through surprise Idlib attack, controlled Syria's second-largest city Aleppo, then Hama and Homs countryside. Local armed groups extended control over Sweida, while Syrian Democratic Forces spread in eastern Deir ez-Zor city.

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