The rebels’ rapid advances, coupled with the lack of support from Assad’s former allies, represented the most serious threat to his government since the start of the war.
The UN special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, yesterday called for urgent talks in Geneva to ensure an “orderly political transition”.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, whose country is Assad’s main international supporter, said he feels “sorry for the Syrian people.”
In Damascus, people rushed to leave the area and those who remained grabbed supplies. Thousands of people fled to Syria’s border with Lebanon, trying to leave the country. In the capital, many shops were closed and those that remained open were left empty.
“The situation is very strange. We are not used to that,” the resident said, insisting on anonymity for fear of reprisals.
“People are worried about whether there will be a battle (in Damascus) or not.”
It was the first time that opposition forces arrived in Damascus since 2018.
