Defensive lines appear to have completely collapsed…
The Russian Embassy in Syria is urging Russian nationals to evacuate the war-torn country via operational airports, citing deteriorating security conditions. The advisory follows the capture of Hama by rebel forces led by anti-Assad Islamist groups like Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), marking a significant setback for the regime of Syrian president and dictator Bashar al-Assad.
A Statue of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s Father, Hafez al-Assad is toppled tonight by a Crowd of Opposition Supporters in the City of Hama, which was captured earlier today by Rebel Forces. Hafez is known by many Syrians as the “Butcher of Hama” for his role in the 1982… pic.twitter.com/87UWGNg9Ix
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) December 6, 2024
Amid mounting instability, the Russian Navy has withdrawn from its Syrian base at Tartus, due to fears of rebel drone strikes. Concurrently, Russian military units and pro-Assad forces with the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) have been seen retreating toward the capital, Damascus.
Mechanized-Infantry Elements and Armor of the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) seen withdrawing earlier this morning from near Deir ez-Zor in the East, prior to U.S-Backed Forces entering the City. pic.twitter.com/xkkTRR51EG
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) December 6, 2024
North of Damascus, Russian Ka-52 attack helicopters have been observed launching unguided rocket strikes at rebel positions as the Battle of Homs intensifies.
A Ka-52 “Alligator” Attack Helicopter with the Russian Air Force seen firing Rockets earlier this morning over the City of Homs, as Rebel Forces enter the Outskirts of the City from the North. pic.twitter.com/2jTnej0pTJ
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) December 6, 2024
Sky News provides further updates, including speculation that the Assad regime might be on the ropes:
Whether or not Mr Assad’s regime falls now “all depends on Russia” and whether it continues to prop up the Syrian government, according to Dr Neil Quilliam, associate fellow at Chatham House.
He told Sky News that HTS had spent the last four years getting ready for its lightning campaign by “equipping, training and preparing itself”, in contrast to Mr Assad’s forces, which he said were “poorly resourced, poorly trained and demotivated”.
“Damascus is clearly in its sights and unless Russia comes in at the last minute, and given that the Russian embassy has told Russians to evacuate the country immediately, it seems that the regime may well fall,” he said.
“We could expect a much longer bloodier battle than we’ve seen at present,” he added. “I would think that the Assad regime will fall, but it all depends on Russia.”
However, in a development reported late Friday morning by Sky News Arabia, Moscow has informed Damascus that its military involvement will remain limited, prioritizing other pressing concerns, namely Ukraine.
Earlier on Friday, reports indicated that suicide drones struck the Syrian capital, targeting the State Media Broadcasting Building and the General Staff Building in the heart of the city. The extent of damage and casualties is currently unknown.
BREAKING
— Conflict Radar (@Conflict_Radar) December 6, 2024
According to the news, a drone crashed into a TV and radio station in Damascus. #Syria #Damascus #SyrianRebels #Homs pic.twitter.com/zCVwU8ttoF
Meanwhile, hundreds of kilometers to the east, the U.S.-backed Syrian Defense Forces have seized Deir ez-Zor, the largest city in eastern Syria, along with the nearby military airport. The Kurdish-led militia has also captured several other positions on the west bank of the Euphrates River, solidifying their hold in the region.
Addition Footage showing an A-10C “Warthog” Close-Air Support Aircraft with the U.S. Air Force, conducting Strikes earlier today on Pro-Regime and Iranian-Backed Forces, while dropping Flares over the Deir ez-Zor Governorate. pic.twitter.com/ioB4Vgo0Xj
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) December 3, 2024
U.S. Air Force A-10 Warthogs have reportedly conducted devastating strafing runs against Iranian-backed Iraqi Shia militia convoys that crossed into Syria, inflicting heavy casualties. The militias, equipped with heavy weapons, were advancing toward Damascus to bolster Assad‘s reeling forces amid the rebels’ surprise offensive.
Regional tensions have further escalated, with Jordan and Lebanon closing all border crossings with Syria on Friday. The decision follows the emergence of a new anti-Assad front in Daraa province, which borders Jordan and Israel. Regime soldiers in the area have either been disarmed by civilian groups or fled their posts.
Fearing chaos if Assad is overthrown, overnight Israeli airstrikes destroyed stockpiles of advanced weaponry in northern Syria, according to online reports. The strikes targeted areas still under the control of Assad’s regime.
Some analysts believe that Syria is experiencing a collapse similar to Afghanistan’s. One analyst compared the situation to the sudden collapse of the Afghan National Army (ANA) in the late summer of 2021, arguing that it showed more resistance than the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) has since rebel forces broke through government defenses in the northwest of the country.
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Getting Hot in Mid East