Syrian rebels announced today (Saturday) that they have taken control of the Quneitra province, near the Israeli border. However, Assad's regime has yet to confirm this claim. Reuters reported that the rebels have also entered the key city of Homs. Despite speculation online, Assad's office denies he has left Syria.
Since yesterday, Syrian opposition sources have reported the capture of several towns and villages in the region. The Saudi-based Al-Arabiya channel cited sources claiming that Assad's forces have retreated from both the Quneitra province and areas they previously controlled on Mount Hermon.
A Hezbollah source told AFP that the group has dispatched 2,000 fighters to the Syrian-Lebanese border near Qusayr. Reuters also reported yesterday that Hezbollah deployed oversight forces to assist Assad's army in the battle for Homs.
Strategic advances by rebels across Syria
The Rebels have made significant advances, seizing control of Aleppo, Hama, Daraa, and Quneitra, as well as numerous other towns and cities nationwide. Reports indicate that Assad's forces have withdrawn from the T-4 military airport, which Iran had used to smuggle weapons into Syria. The base is located east of Palmyra in the heart of the Syrian desert.
Meanwhile, the Saudi Al-Hadath channel quoted an Iraqi security source claiming that hundreds of members of pro-Iranian militias have withdrawn from Syria towards the Al-Qaim border crossing, which connects Syria and Iraq.
Arab media reported this morning that battles between Assad's forces and rebel groups have reached the military academy near Homs in the northwest. Simultaneously, Assad's army and Russian forces are carrying out airstrikes on the Al-Rastan region north of Homs, which is now under rebel control.
In southern Syria, Assad's forces have admitted losing control of the cities of Daraa and As-Suwayda, with the military describing their movements as "redeployments." In northeastern Syria, Kurdish sources informed Arab media that Assad's forces remain in limited numbers in the cities of Al-Hasakah and Qamishli.
In addition, the IDF Spokesperson has stated that a short time ago, an attack by armed militants on a UN post in the Khader area of Syria was identified. The IDF is currently assisting UN forces in repelling the attack. The IDF has deployed reinforced units along the Golan Heights front and will continue to act to protect the State of Israel and its citizens.
