This update was finalized at 23:00, 7 December. In the hours since, the Assad regime was finally overthrown as opposition forces took Damascus. Amid unverified rumors of his flight from the country, Bashar al-Assad has given no statements and is speculated to have fled Syria.
By the end of 7 December, Syria’s opposition forces had forced the regime’s retreat from the south, broken the siege of Rukban camp and began the encirclement of the capital. Large swathes of territory surrounding the southern and eastern flank of the capital were taken by opposition forces, as regime forces abandoned their positions in Rif Dimashq (Damascus countryside). Operation Deterring Aggression forces also captured Homs late during the night, opening the path to Damascus, following hours of fighting and despite heavy Russian and regime bombardment throughout the day.
Regime forces withdrew from frontline positions along the perimeter of the 55km zone, which houses the Coalition’s Al-Tanf Garrison, effectively ending the long siege of Rukban camp. Opposition forces quickly seized the area and made significant gains in the eastern Homs desert, advancing towards Palmyra. Further south, opposition forces and anti-regime Druze armed groups announced that they had taken total control over the provinces of Daraa, Suwayda and Quneitra in south Syria. The opposition’s final advance did not face significant resistance apart from isolated clashes near some regime positions and limited bombardment in northern Daraa.
Rif Dimashq Developments
Amid a regime withdrawal, opposition forces took large swathes of territory across the Damascus countryside, coming within a few kilometers of the capital. Regime forces also withdrew from towns in Rif Dimashq that have suffered sieges and starvation at the hands of the regime, including Darayaa and Douma, which was also the site of a devastating regime chemical weapons attack in 2018.
North-West Updates
Opposition forces took control of Homs city late Saturday night following violent clashes that drove regime forces from the city’s neighborhoods—even as intense Russian and regime aerial bombardment continued throughout the day. Opposition forces captured key military positions, including the Military Engineering College. Significantly, and in line with opposition operations in other cities, thousands of detainees were freed from the Homs Military Prison.
Intense regime bombardment of the towns of Talbiseh and Al-Rastan in the northern Homs countryside led to waves of displacement as residents fled towards safer areas. Dozens of young men from the city of Hama joined Operation Deterring Aggression support units to help secure food, heating and logistics for opposition fighters in the northern Homs countryside. Efforts are underway in Hama city and villages in the Hama countryside to restore normalcy following the regime’s withdrawal.
Operation Deterring Aggression forces are providing security guarantees and assurances to the leaders of Ismaili and Christian religious communities, assuring them that minority communities will be free to practice their customs and traditions as usual and encouraging them to open their local civic institutions. Volunteers from Hama city are working to secure bread and basic food supplies from the cities of Idlib and Arihah until operations of the city’s bakeries are restored.
55km Zone & Eastern Homs Desert Developments
Regime forces withdrew from frontline positions along the perimeter of the 55km zone. This retreat began at dawn, with forces leaving a wide vacuum in eastern Homs’ vast desert territory. The regime’s withdrawal was largely without direct confrontation. Following the withdrawal of regime forces from the perimeter of the 55km zone, the siege of Rukban camp long imposed by regime and Russian forces in the area has effectively been ended.
Opposition fighters quickly advanced beyond the frontlines and deeper into former regime territory, taking control of areas nearing the city of Palmyra and much of the surrounding Badia region. Local fighters—many of whom displaced from their home villages years earlier—have joined opposition factions in their advance against the regime.
South Syria Updates
Opposition forces and anti-regime Druze armed groups took total control of south Syria, with regime forces retreating towards Damascus amid a total collapse of the regime’s authority. This rapid withdrawal saw more than 10,000 soldiers, officers, conscripts and military personnel flee their positions in a span of less than 24 hours. Remaining areas of Quneitra were taken over by opposition forces, with regime forces putting up no resistance during their withdrawal.
As regime forces withdrew from rural northern Daraa, regime artillery struck the towns of Sanamayn and Ghabagheb and killed at least 6 civilians. Similarly, retreating Iranian-backed militia forces and regime fighters in the Lajat region shelled nearby towns to cover their retreat.
Deir Ezzor Updates
Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) fighters have crossed the Euphrates River and taken several key positions on its western bank. The SDF captured the Deir Ezzor airbase and its fighters took positions in Al-Mayadin city and the nearby village of Al-Ashara. Further south along the Iraqi border, SDF fighters took positions in Bukamal city. The latest reporting indicates that the entire city of Bukamal is virtually clear of any regime or militia presence.
