In a series of rapid advances, opposition forces have taken control of key regions in southern Syria, marking a significant setback for President Bashar al-Assad’s regime. The capture of Daraa, dubbed the “cradle of the revolution,” and Sweida reflects the opposition’s growing momentum as talks under the Astana process aim to address the escalating conflict. These developments underscore Syria’s shifting power dynamics, with “opposition advances” reshaping the battlefield.
Daraa: A Symbol of Resistance
On Saturday, opposition fighters declared control of Daraa, a city symbolic of Syria’s uprising. Daraa’s importance dates back to 2011, when government forces brutally suppressed protests sparked by the detention and torture of boys who wrote anti-Assad graffiti. This crackdown militarized the revolution, and Daraa has remained a focal point of resistance ever since.
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, opposition factions now control more than 90 percent of Daraa province, including its capital.
Sweida and the Druze Heartland
In neighboring Sweida, the Syrian army withdrew, leaving key checkpoints and government offices in opposition hands. Sweida, a stronghold of Syria’s Druze minority, has experienced antigovernment protests for over a year. Economic hardships and widespread refusal among Druze men to join compulsory military service have fueled local unrest.
Reports indicate that senior government officials, including the governor and police chief, abandoned their posts as local forces consolidated control.
Strategic Losses for the Regime
The fall of Daraa and Sweida marks the fourth major territorial loss for Assad’s forces in a single week. The opposition has also gained ground in Hama, Aleppo, and Quneitra, pushing government troops toward defensive positions around Damascus.
Syrian rebels have advanced toward Homs, a vital crossroads connecting Damascus to the regime’s coastal strongholds. Opposition fighters have issued calls for government troops in Homs to surrender, signaling their intent to capture this strategic city.
Meanwhile, Kurdish-led forces in eastern Syria have seized control of territories abandoned by regime forces near Deir az-Zor. These developments have left Assad’s forces stretched thin across multiple fronts.
Airstrikes and Counteroffensives
Despite losing ground, Assad’s forces, backed by Russian and Iranian allies, have launched counterattacks. Early Saturday, Syrian and Russian warplanes bombed rebel-held areas in northern Homs. However, the opposition’s rapid advances have raised doubts about the regime’s ability to regain control in the near term.
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International Diplomatic Push
As the conflict intensifies, regional and international powers are stepping up diplomatic efforts. Turkish, Russian, and Iranian foreign ministers are meeting in Doha to discuss a resolution to the crisis. These countries, despite supporting opposing factions, are part of the Astana process, which seeks to end the war and prevent further chaos.
Analysts suggest diplomacy may focus on crafting an exit strategy for Assad and ensuring a transition of power. The opposition’s unexpected gains have been attributed, in part, to Russia and Iran’s engagement in other conflict zones, limiting their ability to support Assad.
A War That Reshaped Syria
Syria’s civil war, which began in 2011, has claimed over 500,000 lives and displaced millions. The recent opposition advances highlight the ongoing volatility of the conflict and its profound impact on the region. As battles rage and negotiations begin, Syria’s future remains uncertain.
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