Syrian rebel forces reportedly made significant advances on Saturday, encircling Damascus from the north, east, and south, as reported by The Times of Israel. These coordinated offensives have forced regime troops to abandon several military bases across Syria in an effort to strengthen the defenses around the capital.
The rapid progress of the rebels has raised concerns about the potential collapse of President Bashar al-Assad's regime. U.S. intelligence sources suggest that the regime may fall within days, while some Western officials predict it could hold on for only a week. This growing uncertainty has prompted Israel to prepare for possible consequences.
Rebel groups have reportedly seized control of the Quneitra and Daraa regions near Israel's border, according to CNN. In response, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) warned that any aggressive actions by the rebels toward Israel would be met with a decisive counterattack, as reported by Haaretz.
In southern Syria's Suweida province, Druze militias have taken control of key military bases near the Jordanian border. Meanwhile, Hassan Abdel Ghani, a commander of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) alliance, declared that their forces are in the "final phase" of encircling Damascus.
The Syrian military has also been reported to abandon critical bases in the south and east, including the T-4 airbase near Palmyra. The T-4 airbase, a strategic location, has been essential for Iranian cargo planes transporting weapons to Hezbollah in Lebanon. Along with Damascus International Airport, the base has been vital to Iran's military operations in Syria.
Israel, which has carried out multiple strikes on T-4 in the past, views it as a cornerstone of Iran's military presence in Syria-a threat Israel has pledged to counter.
These developments represent a turning point in Syria's prolonged conflict, raising concerns about broader regional impacts, including the potential for heightened instability and further international involvement.
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