(Ozi News Desk) 7 Dec,2024
In a significant development for the opposition forces in Syria, the city of Daraa has fallen under their control, marking yet another setback for President Bashar Al-Assad. Daraa is historically significant as it is widely recognized as the birthplace of the civil uprising that erupted in 2011. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an organization based in the United Kingdom, the opposition now holds more than 90 percent of Daraa province, indicating a substantial retreat by regime forces, which have been withdrawing in a series of successive waves.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan expressed optimism regarding the ongoing advances of the Syrian rebels against Assad’s military. He remarked on the offensive’s trajectory towards the capital, Damascus, stating his hope that this momentum would continue without hindrance. Erdogan also referenced his previous overtures to Assad earlier in the year, aimed at normalizing relations after a prolonged period of hostility. He acknowledged the complexities of the situation, noting that while he desires a resolution, the ongoing resistance involving various groups labeled as terrorist organizations complicates the landscape.
For years, Turkey has provided support to Syrian rebel factions with the objective of dismantling the Assad regime, which is backed by Iran and Russia. However, Ankara has also designated certain regional entities, such as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), as terrorist organizations, despite their involvement in the broader rebel coalition. Recently, the rebels achieved a significant victory by capturing the city of Hama, further consolidating their position in northern Syria. Despite these developments, Turkey has consistently denied any direct involvement in the uprising or the provision of support to the rebel forces.
