Czech Republic monitors Syria developments closely

By Ahmet Gencturk

ATHENS (AA) - The Czech Republic is closely monitoring developments in Syria, Prime Minister Petr Fiala announced on Sunday.

“We wish Syria stability and freedom, not chaos or terrorist rule,” Fiala stated on X.

He further asserted that “Russia’s bet on Assad didn’t work out” and called on Czech citizens in Syria to leave the country immediately.

- Developments in Syria

Clashes between Assad regime forces and anti-regime groups began on Nov. 27 in rural areas west of Aleppo, a major city in northern Syria.

On Nov. 30, anti-regime groups gained control of most of Aleppo’s center and seized the entirety of Idlib province. By Thursday, after intense fighting, they captured the city center of Hama.

Opposition forces advanced in Homs, a strategically vital province leading to Damascus, taking control of key settlements.

In Daraa province near the Jordanian border, an operation launched by opposition groups on Friday led to the recapture of the city center. On the same day, opposition forces took control of Suwayda province in the south and the provincial center of Quneitra.

By Saturday, anti-regime groups had taken Homs’ provincial center and advanced into Damascus’ southern suburbs. Regime forces withdrew from significant locations, including the Defense and Interior ministries and Damascus International Airport.

By Sunday morning, the Assad regime had lost all control over the capital.

In the ongoing ‘Operation Dawn of Freedom,’ launched on Dec. 1, the opposition Syrian National Army liberated the Tel Rifaat district center from the PKK/YPG terrorist organization in rural Aleppo.