- By Kamal Kumar
- Sun, 08 Dec 2024 07:34 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
The city centre of Syria's heart Damascus witnessed intense gunfight in the night as rebel forces began their offensive to deal a final blow to President Bashar al-Assad's decades-long rule, news agency Reuters reported on Sunday citing two sources. This comes just hours after Syrian rebels declared that they have gained full control of the Homs city and were preparing to march towards the final bastion - the capital of Syria.
Earlier on Saturday, thousands of civilians poured onto the streets of Homs to celebrate the ousting of Assad forces, dancing and chanting "Assad is gone, Homs is free" and "Long live Syria and down with Bashar al-Assad".
Key Updates of the Hour on the Syrian War
1. Rebels in Syria celebrated by firing into the air as youths tore down posters of President Bashar al-Assad, signalling his regime's crumbling control after a rapid military retreat.
2. Hezbollah forces reportedly withdrew from Qusayr, Syria, just before rebel forces seized the strategic city along the Lebanon border, according to Syrian military sources.
3. President-elect Donald Trump stated the US should avoid involvement in Syria's escalating conflict, calling it "NOT OUR FIGHT" as opposition forces advance on the capital.
4. Syrian rebels claimed to have freed over 3,500 inmates from Homs military prison in a significant breakthrough during their offensive.
5. Arab nations, Iran, Turkey, and Russia called for a political solution to the Syrian crisis, warning it threatens regional and global security, in a joint statement after talks in Doha.
6. Western officials suggested that the rapid rebel advance in Syria could lead to President Bashar al-Assad's government collapsing within a week, marking a turning point in the conflict.