Rebel forces in Syria have claimed to have entered Damascus, marking a dramatic shift in the country’s civil war. Sources close to the rebels report that opposition forces are securing key positions within the capital after a swift, countrywide offensive.

"Militarily, Damascus has fallen," said an insider familiar with the advance. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s whereabouts remain uncertain, with conflicting reports suggesting that he may have left the capital. Syrian officials, including the presidential office and Iranian diplomats, deny he has departed, but US officials indicated that Assad’s regime could be on the verge of collapse.

Rebel leaders say they have been in contact with senior regime officers who are considering defection. The rebels also claim to have "fully liberated" Homs, Syria’s third-largest city, just days after taking Aleppo. Footage from the opposition shows residents in Homs tearing down posters of Assad, evoking memories of the 2011 pro-democracy protests. In a statement, the rebel alliance declared their forces had seized the state media offices in Damascus, including the Radio and Television Building, with plans to broadcast a victory message over Assad’s regime.

In the Barzeh neighborhood of Damascus, local residents reported clashes and explosions, with opposition fighters moving through the streets. For the first time since 2018, when Syrian troops reclaimed areas near the capital, opposition forces have reached the heart of Damascus. Videos from the scene showed tanks in central squares as celebratory crowds gathered, shouting "God is great" from nearby mosques.

As the rebels advanced, they also reported liberating the notorious Saydnaya military prison, where thousands of political prisoners have been held. The timing of this attack is significant, as Saydnaya has long symbolized the regime's brutality. The rebel forces are also pushing southward, with factions seizing control of key areas in the provinces of Daraa, Quneitra, and Sweida, creating a pincer movement on Damascus.

The fall of Homs, located between the capital and Assad's coastal strongholds, is seen as a significant blow to the regime, as it effectively severs vital communication and supply lines between Damascus and the Mediterranean coast. The situation has led to growing concern from Syria’s international allies. Iran, a key backer of Assad’s regime, has reportedly begun evacuating personnel from Syria, and Hezbollah, another of Assad’s major supporters, is reportedly pulling forces from the region.

Russia, which has provided crucial air support to Assad in the past, has been notably absent in this latest crisis, as it focuses on its military commitments in Ukraine. The civilian impact of the escalating violence has been severe, with over 370,000 people displaced in just the past week. The United Nations and various international bodies have issued urgent calls for humanitarian aid and warned of further escalation if the conflict continues.

Meanwhile, Turkey, a supporter of some rebel factions, has expressed concern over civilian casualties, while India and the US have advised their citizens to leave Syria immediately. As Assad’s grip on power weakens, the future of Syria hangs in the balance. With the opposition gaining ground, the possibility of a new government replacing Assad’s regime seems increasingly likely. However, the situation remains fluid, and the final outcome is far from certain.