Rebel forces in Syria reached the suburbs of Damascus on Saturday, marking the “final phase” of their offensive — and President-elect Donald Trump urged the United States not to get involved.
Rebel forces in Syria reached the suburbs of Damascus on Saturday, marking what the jihadist-backed groups called the “final phase” of their offensive against the government as protesters in the city tore down a statue of President Bashar al-Assad’s father — and President-elect Donald Trump urged the United States not to get involved.
Fighting raged near Homs, a major crossroads connecting Damascus to government strongholds on the coast, since late Friday.
Government forces launched airstrikes on rebels, but the insurgents managed to breach defenses from the north and east of the city.
The advance furthered rebels’ rapid-fire seizure of major cities across southern Syria, which began with the surprise collapse of Aleppo just eight days ago.
“Our forces have begun the final phase of encircling the capital, Damascus,” announced rebel commander Hassan Abdel Ghani, the Times of Israel reported.
“The advance towards the capital continues,” Ghani said.
Insurgent troops closed in on Damascus from the southern and eastern parts of the country as government forces allegedly retreated, war monitors also reported.
