Syrian rebels have reached Damascus suburbs, insurgent commander says
GuardianDec 08
Report: Syrian Rebel Forces Reach Damascus Suburbs
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Above: Anti-regime armed groups advance in Syria's Homs on Dec. 6, 2024. Image copyright: Izettin Kasim/Contributor/Anadolu via Getty Images
The Facts
According to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Syrian rebels reached the outskirts of the capital, Damascus, for the first time since 2018 on Saturday, including the suburbs of Maadamiyah, Jaramana, and Daraya, as government forces lost control of major cities across the nation.
Protesters were seen on video toppling a statue of Pres. Bashar al-Assad's father in Jaramana while soldiers reportedly deserted their posts in several areas. State media dismissed claims of Assad fleeing the country.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
The Assad regime's looming collapse signals a pivotal shift for Syria and the region, as rebel forces achieve historic advancements. Gains in key areas like Aleppo and Homs, driven by the unified opposition's determination, expose Assad's vulnerabilities and reflect weakened support from Russia and Iran. A liberated Syria could reduce authoritarian influence and foster stability, benefiting both the Middle East and global geopolitics.
Establishment-critical narrative
The US, through CIA-backed operations, is the one fueling this regime change operation in Syria by teaming up with jihadist groups like HTS, which is actually Al Qaeda — the same group that was behind 9/11. Despite the fact that this intervention will reignite sectarian violence and destabilize the region, the US government only cares about stoking war and filling the pockets of its friends in the weapons manufacturing industry.
