Unclear where the president is • Biden official: Assad regime could fall within days
Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad’s regime could fall within days, several Biden administration officials told CNN.
The statement comes after the Syrian rebels have reportedly reached the gates of Damascus, while the population is fleeing and the president is in an unknown location.
– By next weekend, the Assad regime will probably have lost all power, one of Biden’s officials told CNN.
If the US analysis proves correct, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad would face a swift fall from power after a 14-year war. A war that had been relatively stagnant, until last week.
Rebel forces are now said to have reached the gates of the capital Damascus and have captured several villages in the area, AFP reports. Rebels are said to have also toppled a statue of Assad’s father in one of the suburbs of Damascus.
– Damascus is in a state of tension and panic. People are anxiously waiting to see what will happen, unsure of what to do, one resident, who remains anonymous for his safety, told CNN.
The resident also says that some roads have been blocked and that shops near the city center have been closed. At the same time, the military presence in the capital has “reduced significantly”, according to the resident, who also says that many soldiers change their uniforms to civilian clothes.
– I am afraid, very afraid, for me and my unborn daughter, says pregnant Rania to AFP.
– I’ve been trying to buy medicine since this morning but can’t find what I need. It wasn’t like this when I left home this morning, suddenly everyone got really scared.
Yesterday 19:36
The rebels are approaching the Syrian capital, Damascus
The rebels have entered Homs
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s military has denied reports that government troops were withdrawing from the Damascus region.
For Reuters, sources within the Syrian military, rebels and residents state that the rebels have entered the key city of Homs. The rebels are said to have entered the city from the east and north.
Earlier this week, the rebels captured the city of Hama, which is a few miles north of Homs. The rebels then stated that, among other things, they had taken control of a prison and released a large number of prisoners.
Details: Hezbollah sends soldiers
A source tells AFP that Lebanese Hezbollah has also sent 2,000 soldiers to Syria to counter the rebels’ offensive. Hezbollah has previously fought alongside Syrian President Assad’s forces.
Hezbollah is said not to have previously participated in the fighting since the Islamist rebels launched an offensive last week. According to AFP information, Hezbollah is to hold positions along the border between Syria and Lebanon.
According to Reuters, rebels have also captured the city of Quneitra on the Golan Heights in southwestern Syria. Israel has also strengthened its military presence in the area.