Syrian rebel forces have reached Damascus as the capital city’s defence forces collapsed and intense gunfire sounds were heard as reported by multiple residents of the city.
This comes after the rebels captured Homs and Aleppo posing a threat to the 24-year-old rule of President Bashar Assad.
“Militarily, Damascus has fallen,” a source familiar with the rebels told CNN.
The recent advances by opposition factions, including a significant push by a group with roots in al-Qaida, are among the largest in years.
This group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which is designated as a terrorist organization by both the US and the United Nations, has made substantial progress in its efforts to overthrow Assad’s government. The insurgents have faced minimal resistance from the Syrian army during their offensive.
Hezbollah has withdrawn its forces from the outskirts of Damascus and the Homs region, according to a source close to the Lebanese group.
The group “has instructed its fighters in recent hours to withdraw from the Homs area, with some heading to Latakia (in Syria) and others to the Hermel area in Lebanon”, AFP reported quoting a source, and noted that “Hezbollah fighters have also vacated their positions around Damascus.”
Intense gunfire sounds in Damascus
Intense gunfire was heard in the center of Damascus on Sunday, as rebels advanced towards the Syrian capital, according to two residents living near the city’s heart, Reuters reported.
The source of the shooting remained unclear. Meanwhile, Syrian rebels claimed full control of the strategic city of Homs after just one day of fighting.
