Syrian rebels say they have begun encirclement of Damascus

By AFP 7 December 2024, 2:54 pm

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Anti-government forces drive in city of al-Rastan in Syria's west-central province of Homs on December 7, 2024. (Aref TAMMAWI / AFP)

BEIRUT, Lebanon — Syrian rebels say they have started to surround government-held Damascus after seizing towns close by, as the Syrian defense ministry denies the army had fled positions near the capital.

Rebel commander Hassan Abdel Ghani, with the Islamist-led alliance that launched the offensive in the country’s northwest, says “our forces have begun the final phase of encircling the capital, Damascus.” The ministry says “there is no truth to news claiming our armed forces, present in all areas of the Damascus countryside, have withdrawn.”