The war in Syria escalated further on Saturday as rebel forces announced the capture of Daraa, a southern city near Jordan, marking their fourth major territorial gain in a week.
This offensive, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), is the first of its scale since 2020 when rebels were pushed to Syria’s northern regions. Rebel forces have also seized control of Aleppo, Hama, and Homs, significantly destabilizing Syria’s political landscape.
The sudden insurgency has raised concerns across the region. Iran has begun evacuating its citizens and officials, citing the deteriorating security situation. Other Syrian allies, including Russia and Hezbollah, are grappling with their own challenges—Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine,…
