Rebels Gain Control of Damascus Suburbs; US Denies Assad Has Fled

A US official reports that rebels have taken over suburbs of Damascus, while the Syrian presidency denies rumors of President Assad fleeing the capital amidst escalating tensions.

The Syrian presidency denies reports claiming that President Bashar al-Assad has left Damascus.

According to reports, rebels have simultaneously entered the strategic city of Homs.

According to AFP, the Syrian interior minister has stated that a “very strong military cordon” surrounds the capital and asserted that it is impenetrable.

Here is an improved version of your text: More now from Zaina Shahla, a resident in central Damascus, who shared her thoughts with me about the fear present in the capital city.

As mentioned earlier, social media footage indicates anti-Assad protests occurring in Damascus suburbs. Meanwhile, there are claims from the US suggesting that these areas could soon be overtaken by rebels.

She mentions that apart from these videos, she hasn’t witnessed any protests in the center of Damascus. Additionally, people residing in the capital hold varying opinions about the rebels.

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She explains that the fear stems from a feeling of uncertainty.

“We are fearful because the future is uncertain,” she expressed. “No one wants to witness conflict in Damascus.”

Zaina mentioned, “Everything is uncertain and unclear for everyone.”

Her family stayed in Damascus during Syria’s civil war and hadn’t considered fleeing—until now.

Although they aren’t planning on leaving just yet, Zaina mentioned that if circumstances dramatically or dangerously escalate, they might consider it.

Recently, I spoke with Zaina Shahla, a 42-year-old journalist residing in central Damascus.

She explained how the atmosphere among people in the city shifted over the course of the day, starting with a “normal” morning and evolving into a “sense of fear” as reports came out about rebel fighters moving toward the Syrian capital.

At approximately 16:00 local time (13:00 GMT), people were frantically trying to buy some last-minute supplies.

“Several stores were closing,” Zaina explained. “I attempted to go into a shop, but they shut their doors, telling me ‘we are not accepting anyone.’ Many people were trying to purchase bread and some vegetables.”

However, by around 18:00 (15:00 GMT), “the streets were strangely empty,” she noted. They have stayed this way ever since, indicating that “everyone is frightened and prefers to return home—particularly those who might reside in the suburbs.”