Anti-regime groups expand to north and towards Damascus from southern Syria

The anti-regime groups stationed in southern Syria near the Jordanian and Iraqi borders began expanding both to the north and towards Damascus, local sources said on Saturday.

The Syrian Free Army, which operates in the Al-Tanf region at the crossroads of Syria, Iraq and Jordan, has made gains in the Bashar al Assad regime's stronghold.

The group's advances began on November 27 when Assad regime forces quickly lost ground against anti-regime forces in Aleppo, Idlib, Hama and Homs, and handing over the areas they controlled in the country's east to the PKK/YPG terrorist group.

The group advanced northward from its deployment point on the Iraq-Jordan border, taking control of the Palmyra district before turning westward towards Damascus.

The Syrian Free Army took the Amour and Hamad Mountains, the T2 oil field, and the Tibas, Rezuz and Qasr al-Hayr settlements from regime forces in the north and west.

Anti-regime mobilisation

In clashes that intensified on November 27, anti-regime groups advanced in the Aleppo-Hama direction, reaching the outskirts of the Homs provincial centre and entering Al-Waer from the outskirts.

After a period of waiting since Friday, the groups have resumed their movements, entering the industrial zone and Qosour neighbourhood from the surrounding districts.

Fierce clashes are taking place between the two sides, as per the latest reports.

Homs is strategically important as a gateway to Damascus, the Syrian capital.

Regime's Damascus withdrawal

The regime forces withdrew from many settlements in and around the Al-Qutayfah district, about 25 kilometres (about 16 miles) north of Damascus, and evacuated their positions in Khan Sheikh, Qatana, Kanaker, Zakyah, Sasa and Beit Jann settlements in the southwestern countryside of the capital.

Regime troops are retreating towards the capital, Damascus.

Following fierce clashes, the regime-held provinces of Daraa and Suwayda in the country's south fell to the opposition forces.

Local opposition groups, which retook the provincial centre of Quneitra southwest of Damascus from the regime, are attempting to advance in Damascus' southwestern countryside.

They have already taken control of Sasa Prison in Damascus' southwestern countryside and released many detainees.

Developments in Syria

Clashes between Syrian regime forces and armed opposition groups broke out on November 27 in Aleppo's western countryside.

By November 30, the opposition forces had taken control of most of Aleppo's city centre and established dominance across Idlib province.

On December 1, the Syrian National Army launched Operation Dawn of Freedom against the PKK/YPG terror group in the Tel Rifaat district of Aleppo's countryside, liberating the area from terrorist elements.

Anti-regime forces captured Hama on Thursday and continued their advance on Friday, seizing Rastan and Talbiseh districts in Homs province.