Islamists seize control of Syria's Daraa, weakening Assad’s grip

DARAA,— Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s government forces lost control of Daraa city, a war monitor reported, marking another critical blow to his rule after Islamist groups seized several key cities in rapid succession.

Known as “the cradle of the revolution,” Daraa emerged as a powerful symbol during the initial phase of Syria’s civil war. Protests erupted there in 2011 after the government was accused of detaining and torturing a group of boys for anti-Assad graffiti on their school walls.

According to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, local armed factions have now taken control of most of Daraa province, including its capital city. Islamist groups have reportedly seized control of over 90 percent of the province as regime forces withdrew in stages, the Observatory confirmed on Friday.

The province, which borders Jordan, has faced years of unrest despite a ceasefire brokered by Russia, an ally of Assad.

Daraa’s fall is part of a larger wave of defeats for Assad’s forces. In the past few days, they’ve lost control of Aleppo and Hama to an alliance of the Turkey-backed Islamist rebels.

The offensive, launched by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), formerly known as al Nusra Front, on November 27, has pushed government troops to retreat from several areas. On Friday, the rebels were reportedly approaching the gates of Homs, Syria’s third-largest city.

HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Jolani stated in an interview with CNN that the offensive’s primary goal is to overthrow Assad’s government.

Jolani stated, “The revolution’s goal is clear: to dismantle this regime. We will employ every available method to bring this about.” HTS, which originated from the Syrian branch of Al-Qaeda, is designated a terrorist organization by several Western governments.

As Assad’s forces pulled out of Deir Ezzor in eastern Syria, Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) moved in, reportedly crossing the Euphrates River to claim vacated territory. The SDF, backed by the United States, expressed a willingness to engage in political dialogue with Turkey and rebel groups. They described the developments as signaling a “new political reality” for Syria.

Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts are intensifying. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized the need for a political resolution and the protection of civilians during a call with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, according to a State Department spokesperson. Talks involving Turkey, Russia, and Iran are also scheduled to take place in Qatar this weekend.

Despite this, Iran—a staunch supporter of Assad’s regime—is reportedly scaling back its presence in Syria. The New York Times cited unnamed officials saying Iranian personnel, including military commanders, have begun withdrawing from the region.

The ongoing violence has left a devastating toll. The Observatory reported that at least 826 people have died since the offensive began, including 111 civilians, with 20 children among them.

Airstrikes by Syrian and Russian forces have targeted rebel positions, killing at least 20 civilians on Friday alone. The United Nations estimates that the conflict has displaced 280,000 people over the past week.

During a press conference on Friday, Mazloum Abdi, the General Commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) — the de facto military force of the Autonomous Administration in Syrian Kurdistan (Rojava) — highlighted the dire situation in Kurdish-majority neighborhoods in Aleppo, which are currently under siege. Abdi reported that more than 250,000 Kurdish residents are facing extremely challenging conditions.

In Homs, residents—many from Assad’s Alawite minority—are fleeing in fear of the advancing rebels. “Fear is the umbrella that covers Homs now,” one resident told AFP by phone. Meanwhile, Syrians abroad, who were forced to flee during the early years of the war, are watching closely.

“This is the moment we’ve been dreaming of for more than ten years,” said Yazan, a former activist now living in France. “It doesn’t matter who is behind it. People just want liberation.”

In newly seized areas, jubilant scenes have unfolded. Residents in Hama burned a massive portrait of Assad on city hall and toppled a statue of his father, Hafez al-Assad. “Our joy is indescribable,” said Ghiath Suleiman, a local resident. “We wish every honorable Syrian could feel this happiness.”

Syria’s civil war, now in its 13th year, has killed over 500,000 people and displaced millions. Assad’s recent losses highlight a rapidly shifting political and military landscape, raising questions about the country’s future.

(With files from AFP | Reuters | Agencies)