Syrian Rebels Surround Damascus, Entering Critical ‘Final Phase’ of Offensive

Rebel forces in Syria have reached the suburbs of Damascus, signalling the start of the “final phase” of their offensive against the government.

As fighting intensifies, protesters in the city have torn down a statue of President Bashar al-Assad’s father, further challenging his authority.

Syrian rebel commander Hassan Abdul Ghani announced on social media Saturday that the “advance towards the capital” of Damascus continues. via REUTERS

President-elect Donald Trump has weighed in, urging the U.S. to stay out of the conflict, calling Syria “a mess” that is not America’s fight.

Syrian insurgents reportedly reached the suburbs of Damascus on Saturday, the latest in a rapidly moving offensive in which they have taken over several large cities. AFP via Getty Images

The battlefront near Homs, a crucial city linking Damascus to government-controlled coastal areas, has seen fierce clashes since Friday.

Anti-government forces walked into Hama on Saturday, days after they captured and took control of the central Syrian city. AFP via Getty Images

Despite heavy airstrikes from government forces, insurgents successfully breached the city’s defences, pushing their rapid advances from the north and east.

This escalation follows the surprise fall of Aleppo just days earlier, marking a significant shift in momentum for the rebels.

“The push towards Damascus is unstoppable,” said Ghani, a rebel spokesperson. Insurgent troops have surged from southern and eastern Syria, taking control of key towns as government forces reportedly retreat. This shift has sparked new fears for the stability of Assad’s government and its hold on the capital.

A portrait of Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad is seen displayed in the city of Damascus on December 6, 2024, as Assad’s 24-year rule is in jeopardy. AFP via Getty Images

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that regime forces withdrew from several towns in the southwestern countryside of Damascus, now controlled by local fighters.

However, Syrian state media has vehemently denied the claims, asserting that President Assad remains in the capital, dismissing rumours as “false news.”

In a symbolic show of defiance, protesters in the Jermana suburb, just six miles from central Damascus, demolished a statue of Assad’s late father, Hafez al-Assad.

Video footage circulating online shows protesters dragging the statue’s head through the streets, demanding the evacuation of local security offices in a bold move against the regime.

Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad met with Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Damascus on Dec. 1. via REUTERS.

In just over a week, rebel groups have captured at least six cities across Syria, intensifying the pressure on Assad’s forces.

Meanwhile, President-elect Donald Trump took to Truth Social, advising the U.S. to refrain from involvement in Syria.

He criticised former President Obama for allowing chaos to unfold and noted that Russia’s losses in Ukraine have weakened its ability to back Assad.

As hostilities escalated, Iran began evacuating military personnel from Syria, while both Russia and the U.S. issued urgent warnings for their citizens to leave the country.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called for an immediate ceasefire, but Assad’s alliances with Russia, Iran, and Hezbollah are increasingly strained.

The Syrian civil war, which began in 2011 as part of the Arab Spring protests, has reached a critical point. With rebel forces tightening their grip on key regions, the fate of Assad’s regime remains uncertain, and the international community continues to call for an end to the violence.