Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is facing significant challenges from rebel uprisings on multiple fronts, as his key ally Iran begins to withdraw its military support. The Syrian government has been battling opposition forces in various cities, including Homs, where rebels declared a full capture of the strategic city earlier this week.
Iran’s decision to start evacuating its military commanders and personnel from Syria marks a significant shift in the balance of power in the country. Russia, another key ally of al-Assad, is also providing limited aid.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that government forces have pulled out of several suburbs of Damascus, including Moadamia al-Sham and Daraya, amidst anti-government protests. The rebels are now preparing to advance towards the capital, with the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham leading the charge.
Analysts say Russia’s reluctance to intervene more forcefully in Syria is due to the ineffectiveness of al-Assad’s own forces. “The Syrians need to be the ones defending Homs,” said Anton Mardasov, a Moscow-based military analyst. The situation on the ground suggests that this may become a reality, with rebels facing stiff resistance from government forces but ultimately breaching key cities.
With allies pulling back, the weakness of the national military has come into focus. Analysts say the Assad government has done little to strengthen its military ranks, relying on unwilling and poorly paid conscripts. The US Embassy in Damascus has warned citizens to leave Syria immediately due to the volatile security situation.
The rebel threat is expected to continue to grow, with local opposition groups taking control of key checkpoints and military headquarters. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains unclear what the future holds for al-Assad’s government and its ability to maintain power.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/07/world/middleeast/syria-assad-homs-damascus-rebels.html