Damascus regime faces threat from Syrian insurgents at gates.

On Saturday, insurgents' march through Syria intensified as they approached the capital and government forces vacated Homs. The government denied reports that President Assad had fled the country.

The loss of Homs was a potentially devastating blow for Assad. It is situated at a critical junction between Damascus, the capital, and Syria's coastal provinces of Latakia and Tartus, which are Assad's stronghold and home to a Russian strategic naval base.

The pro-government Sham FM news outlet reported that government forces took positions outside Syria's third-largest city, without providing further details. According to Rami Abdurrahman, head of the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Syrian troops and members of various security agencies withdrew from the city, and rebels entered certain parts of it.

The rebels declared victory on Saturday when they seized control of Homs, a major city in Syria. This marked a significant milestone in their ongoing offensive, which began on November 27 and has already seen them capture Aleppo, Hama, and large parts of the south. Analysts believe that rebel control of Homs will be a turning point in the conflict.

According to a monitor and a rebel commander, the rebels' movements in Damascus were reported after the Syrian army withdrew from most of the southern part of the country, leaving many areas, including several provincial capitals, under the control of opposition fighters.

For the first time in the country's long-running civil war, the government now has control over only three out of 14 provincial capitals: Damascus, Latakia, and Tartus.

The opposition factions, led by a terrorist organization with roots in al-Qaida, made significant advances in the past week, surpassing recent years. Despite facing little resistance from the Syrian army, the insurgents, led by HTS, have been unable to overthrow Assad's government.

The lack of support from Assad's former allies and the rapid gains of the rebel forces posed the most significant challenge to his rule since the beginning of the conflict.

Geir Pedersen, the U.N.'s special envoy for Syria, urged for immediate talks in Geneva to facilitate a smooth political transition in Syria. He stated that the situation in the country was rapidly evolving. Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov expressed his sympathy for the Syrian people, despite his country being a key supporter of Assad.

In Damascus, people rushed to stock up on supplies while thousands went to Syria's border with Lebanon, trying to leave the country.

According to a resident, numerous shops in the capital were closed, and those that remained open sold out of essentials like sugar. Prices of some items were inflated by three times the usual cost.

The resident, fearing retributions, insisted on anonymity and stated that the situation was very strange as we are not accustomed to it.

"There is concern about the possibility of a battle occurring in Damascus."

Since 2018, opposition forces had not reached the outskirts of Damascus until now, when Syrian troops recaptured the area after a yearslong siege. The U.N. is moving noncritical staff outside the country as a precaution.

Assad's status

Damascus is where Assad is carrying out his responsibilities, according to Syria's state media, which refuted social media speculation that he had left the country.

He has received minimal assistance from his allies. Russia is currently preoccupied with its ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Hezbollah, which once sent thousands of fighters to support Assad, has been weakened by a year of conflict with Israel. Iran's proxies in the region have been diminished by regular Israeli airstrikes.

On Saturday, President-elect Trump posted on social media that the US should avoid military engagement in Syria. Meanwhile, President Biden's national security adviser stated that the Biden administration has no plans to intervene in Syria.

Pedersen stated that a date for discussions in Geneva regarding the implementation of a U.N. resolution, which was passed in 2015 and advocates for a Syrian-led political process, would be made public at a later time. The resolution entails the formation of a transitional governing body, the creation of a new constitution, and the conclusion of U.N.-supervised elections.

On Saturday, representatives from eight significant countries, including Saudi Arabia, Russia, Egypt, Turkey, and Iran, met with Pederson at the Doha Summit to discuss the Syrian crisis.

The participants affirmed their support for a political solution to the Syrian crisis that would put an end to military activity and safeguard civilians. Additionally, they emphasized the significance of intensifying international efforts to enhance aid to the Syrian people.

The insurgents' march

Rami Abdurrahman, head of the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, stated that insurgents were present in the Damascus suburbs of Maadamiyah, Jaramana, and Daraya. Additionally, he noted that opposition fighters were marching toward the Damascus suburb of Harasta.

Hassan Abdul-Ghani, a commander with the insurgents, announced on the Telegram messaging app that opposition forces had entered the "final stage" of their offensive by surrounding Damascus.

The "salvation government" established by HTS in 2017 is currently running day-to-day affairs in northwest Syria. Recently, HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani has made efforts to change the group's image by cutting ties with al-Qaida, removing hard-line officials, and pledging to promote pluralism and religious tolerance.

On November 27, gunmen seized control of Syria's largest city, Aleppo, and its fourth-largest city, Hama.

Insurgents seized Palmyra, an ancient city with significant archaeological sites, on Friday, just a day after opposition activists claimed it had been under government control since being liberated from Islamic State in 2017.

Activists reported that Syrian troops withdrew from much of Quneitra province, including Baath City, to the south.

The Syrian Observatory reported that government troops have pulled back from large parts of the two southern provinces.

The Syrian army announced that it redeployed and repositioned its troops in Sweida and Daraa following attacks by "terrorists" on its checkpoints. The army stated that it was establishing a "strong and coherent defensive and security belt in the area" to safeguard Damascus from the south.

Since the start of the conflict in March 2011, the Syrian government has labeled opposition gunmen as terrorists.

Diplomacy in Doha

The foreign ministers of Iran, Russia, and Turkey, gathered in Qatar, urged an end to the conflict. Russia and Iran support the government while Turkey backs the opposition.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Qatar's top diplomat, criticized Assad for not utilizing the ceasefire to address Syria's fundamental issues. "Assad missed the chance to begin rebuilding his relationship with his people," he stated.

The rebels have advanced rapidly, surprising Sheikh Mohammed, who stated that there is a real threat to Syria's "territorial integrity." He emphasized the urgency of starting a political process to prevent the war from causing further damage and destruction.