Rebel forces in southern Syria have reportedly seized control of most of the Deraa region, marking a significant development in the ongoing civil war. The Deraa area, known as the birthplace of the 2011 uprising against President Bashar al-Assad, holds both symbolic and strategic importance. The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) stated that after intense clashes, local rebel factions have captured over 90% of the region, with only the Sanamayn area remaining under government control.
The capture of Deraa follows a reported agreement between the rebels and Syrian military officials, in which the army would withdraw from the region, and military personnel would be granted safe passage to the capital, Damascus. Deraa’s significance is amplified by its proximity to the Jordanian border and its historical role in igniting the civil war when pro-democracy protests erupted there in 2011.
In response to the escalating violence, Jordan has closed its border with Syria, citing security concerns in the region. Both Jordan and Western countries, including the US and UK, have advised their citizens to leave Syria due to the worsening situation.
Meanwhile, the Syrian military is facing growing pressure on multiple fronts. In northern Syria, rebel groups have advanced toward Homs, a key strategic city, with airstrikes reported as Syrian forces attempt to push back the insurgents. Rebel forces have reportedly reached the outskirts of Homs, and recent battles have resulted in civilian casualties. SOHR reports that at least 820 people, including 111 civilians, have been killed since the offensive began, with over 370,000 people displaced.
The ongoing rebel assault, launched just over a week ago, has exposed the Syrian military’s vulnerabilities, as several important cities, including Hama and Aleppo, have fallen to the insurgents. The leader of the Islamist militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), Abu Mohammed al-Jawlani, has declared that Homs is next on their path to Damascus, urging citizens to prepare for the fall of the regime.
The military’s withdrawal from key areas raises questions about its ability to defend the capital. Despite Syrian government denials, reports suggest that military forces are retreating to positions just 10 kilometers from Damascus, though these claims remain unverified.
The shifting dynamics in the war have prompted increased concern from Syria’s international allies. Iran has reportedly begun evacuating military personnel, and Russia, already stretched by its involvement in Ukraine, is reportedly urging its nationals to leave Syria. President Assad’s government has vowed to “crush” the rebels, but analysts note that his forces are demoralized, with low morale and widespread corruption.
As the conflict intensifies, the UN has called for renewed diplomatic efforts to address the escalating violence and humanitarian crisis, urging all parties involved to seek a political solution to the ongoing war.
