The takeover of Daraa by Syrian opposition forces marks a major turning point in the conflict that has ravaged the country for a decade. Located in southwest Syria, the city is a symbol of the uprising against Bashar al-Assad’s regime that began in 2011. The rebels, advancing towards the capital Damascus, are now fighting loyalist forces on two fronts, to the north and south.
The rebel takeover of Daraa was confirmed by the local group of fighters known as the Southern Operations Room. The rebels said they had taken full control of the city and had begun securing its neighborhoods as well as government institutions and buildings. Images and videos relayed by the media showed insurgents in front of the Daraa administrative building, thus confirming their significant advance.
The offensive by opposition forces comes as the civil war in Syria rages again. The conflict, which has escalated into a proxy war involving regional and global actors, has already caused the deaths of more than 300,000 civilians and displaced millions more. The humanitarian consequences of this conflict are devastating and persist despite the efforts of the international community to find a political solution.
The capture of the city of Daraa is not an isolated event, as other strategic cities in Syria have also been taken by opposition forces. From the border with Jordan to the city of Hama, the rebels are advancing rapidly, defying loyalist forces and coming dangerously close to Damascus. These advances raise both hopes for an imminent end to the Assad regime and fears of reprisals and violence for the local population.
The Kurds, present in the northeast of the country, also fear that the ongoing conflicts will destabilize their autonomous region, won at the cost of heavy fighting during the civil war. This complex situation highlights the diversity of actors and issues at stake in Syria, where alliances are made and unmade in the wake of armed clashes.
It is crucial for the international community to redouble its efforts to achieve a lasting political solution in Syria. The Syrian people deserve peace and stability after years of suffering and violence. Support for dialogue and negotiation processes is necessary to end this devastating conflict, which continues to cause unprecedented humanitarian devastation in the region.
The situation in Syria must be closely monitored and concrete measures taken to address the urgent needs of the war-affected populationsThe international community has a crucial role to play in ensuring the safety and well-being of Syrian civilians, who are looking forward to a better future in a country that is finally at peace.