By Anadolu staff
ANKARA (AA) – The US-backed anti-regime groups stationed in southern Syria near the Jordanian and Iraqi borders began expanding both to the north and towards Damascus, local sources said on Saturday.
The US-backed Syrian Free Army, which operates in the Al-Tanf region at the crossroads of Syria, Iraq, and Jordan, has made gains in the Bashar al-Assad regime's stronghold.
The group's advances began on Nov. 27 when Assad regime forces quickly lost ground against anti-regime forces in Aleppo, Idlib, Hama, and Homs, handing over the areas they controlled in the country's east to the PKK/YPG terrorist group.
The US-backed anti-regime group advanced northward from its deployment point on the Iraq-Jordan border, taking control of the Palmyra district before turning westward towards Damascus.
The Syrian Free Army took the Amour and Hamad Mountains, the T2 oil field, and the Tibas, Rezuz, and Qasr al-Hayr settlements from regime forces in the north and west.
- Anti-regime groups mobilize again
In clashes that intensified on Nov. 27, anti-regime groups advanced in the Aleppo-Hama direction, reaching the outskirts of the Homs provincial center and entering Al-Waer from the outskirts.
After a period of waiting since Friday, these groups have resumed their movements, entering the industrial zone and Qosour neighborhood from the surrounding districts.
Fierce clashes are taking place between the two sides as per the latest reports.
Homs is strategically important as a gateway to Damascus, the Syrian capital.
- Regime withdraws forces from some areas in the Damascus countryside
The regime forces withdrew from many settlements in and around the Al-Qutayfah district, about 25 kilometers (about 16 miles) north of Damascus, and evacuated their positions in Khan Sheikh, Qatana, Kanaker, Zakyah, Sasa, and Beit Jann settlements in the southwestern countryside of the capital.
Regime troops are retreating towards the capital, Damascus.
Following fierce clashes, the regime-held provinces of Daraa and Suwayda in the country's south fell to the opposition.
Local opposition groups, which retook the provincial center of Quneitra southwest of Damascus from the regime, are attempting to advance in Damascus' southwestern countryside.
They have already taken control of Sasa Prison in Damascus' southwestern countryside and released many detainees.
- Developments in Syria
Clashes between Syrian regime forces and anti-regime groups broke out on Nov. 27 in Aleppo’s western countryside.
By Nov. 30, the opposition forces had taken control of most of Aleppo’s city center and established dominance across Idlib province.
On Dec. 1, the Syrian National Army launched Operation Dawn of Freedom against the PKK/YPG terror group in the Tel Rifaat district of Aleppo's countryside, liberating the area from terrorist elements.
Anti-regime forces captured Hama on Thursday and continued their advance on Friday, seizing Rastan and Talbiseh districts in Homs province.
*Writing by Serdar Dincel