Syria: Islamist rebels encircle government-held Damascus | DW News

Syrian Islamist rebels are staging uprisings against longtime Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad on multiple fronts. As the main opposition offensive in the northwest continues to move toward Damascus, opposition factions in the south are closing in on the capital, with reports that they are within 20 miles of the city. A war monitor also said that local armed Islamist groups have taken control of most of the southern Daraa province, including Daraa city. In the north, government forces have dug in to defend the city of Homs as they fight to save President Bashar al-Assad's 24-year rule.

Chapter Breakdown
0:00 Anti-Assad rebels close in on Syrian capital
0:44 Gasia Ohanes, DW Reporter, on how Assad's internal and external allies are responding
4:23 Ossama Muhammad, Journalist in Qamishli, Syria, on Syrian rebels' advances