Egypt and Jordan have reportedly suggested to Bashar al-Assad that he obtain asylum abroad and form an interim council with opposition members, although this has been disputed by the Jordanian embassy. Assad remains in Syria despite calls for intervention and military assistance. Homs, a key city, is under threat, with analysts warning that its fall could signify the end for Assad’s regime. Rebels in the northwest have launched major offensives, supported by foreign powers, while Russian forces respond with airstrikes against the advancing militants.
Recent reports from The Wall Street Journal indicate that Egyptian and Jordanian officials proposed to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad that he depart Syria and establish an interim council including opposition representatives. However, this claim has been denied by the Jordanian Embassy in the United States. Despite these discussions, Assad reportedly remains within Syria as of December 6. Concerns have been expressed by Qatar, the UAE, and various Arab nations regarding the potential collapse of the Syrian government and the subsequent regional destabilization. Furthermore, Assad has been seeking military assistance, appealing for intervention from Turkey and requesting arms from Egypt, the UAE, Jordan, and Iraq, all of which have declined his requests.
The city of Homs is currently the last significant urban center under government control. This city serves as a critical link between Damascus and rebel-held areas; its fall would significantly impact the regime’s access to the Mediterranean coast, severely impairing their logistical and strategic positions. Jerome Drevon, a senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, emphasized this point by stating, “If Homs falls, I don’t see how the regime will be able to survive.”
In recent weeks, Syrian rebel forces and allied extremist groups based in Idlib launched a major offensive, making substantial territorial gains, particularly in Aleppo province. The Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, designated as terrorist in several countries including Russia, played a significant role in this offensive, alongside factions from the Syrian National Army with support from the United States and Turkey. In response to the escalating violence, Russian forces in Syria have conducted air strikes aimed at deterring rebel advances. The Syrian government has also retreated from Hama, which has raised further questions about the sustainability of their position against ongoing rebel offensives.
The civil war in Syria, which started in 2011, has led to significant political and military challenges for the Assad regime. Regional dynamics, such as the involvement of neighboring countries and the shifting allegiances of various factions, have complicated the situation. Egypt and Jordan, along with other Arab nations, are closely monitoring the conflict due to fears that a governmental collapse could create instability across the Middle East. Ongoing military offensives by rebel groups pose a continuous threat to Assad’s power, particularly as control over key cities like Homs becomes increasingly tenuous.
The strategic landscape in Syria remains precarious, with both domestic and international pressures mounting against the Assad regime. The propositions made by regional powers like Egypt and Jordan reflect growing concerns of potential shifts in power dynamics that could arise from significant territorial losses. The situation in Homs exemplifies the broader implications of the continuing conflict, underscoring the fragile state of the Syrian government and regional stability.
Original Source: eadaily.com
