Recent advances by opposition forces in Syria have taken the world by surprise, with reports indicating that Bashar al-Assad’s government may have fallen. Opposition fighters claim to have entered Damascus after a dramatic advance, and President Assad has reportedly fled the country, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opposition group.
Importantly, these developments mark the first time since 2018 that opposition forces have reached Damascus, following a series of breakthroughs. Last night, opposition forces took control of the central city of Homs, Syria’s third-largest city, as government forces abandoned it.
These rapid developments have shaken the region, with Lebanon and Jordan deciding to close their land borders with Syria. Growing concerns over the situation in Syria have led eight key countries to meet with the UN special envoy on Syria for urgent talks in Doha. The Special Envoy aims to hold talks in Geneva to ensure an orderly political transition.
These events underscore the complexity and magnitude of the challenges facing Syria, as well as the regional impact of these developments. It is essential that the international community remains attentive to the situation in Syria and seeks lasting solutions to preserve stability and peace in the region.