Syrian opposition activists say insurgents have reached the suburbs of Damascus
SUMMARY
Syrian insurgents have reached the suburbs of Damascus for the first time since 2018, marking a significant shift in the country’s ongoing civil war. Opposition forces, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), have captured key cities including Aleppo and Hama in a rapid offensive that began on November 27. This has left President Bashar Assad’s regime increasingly isolated as allies like Russia, Iran, and Hezbollah are preoccupied or weakened by other conflicts. The UN’s special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, has called for urgent talks in Geneva to discuss political transition under UN Resolution 2254, which includes drafting a new constitution and elections. Insurgents are reportedly encircling Damascus and advancing on Homs, a strategic city linking the capital to the Assad-supportive coastal region. Meanwhile, Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces have seized areas in eastern Syria, further challenging Assad’s control.
