A military source in the international anti-ISIS coalition reportedly said that the Assad regime will lose control of Damascus before the end of this year, citing the disintegration of regime forces that turned into militias and the rebel factions’ ramping up of efforts in rural Damascus to bring him down.
The source, who declined to be identified, said that the international coalition has accurate information about the status of Assad’s forces and the terrorists, adding that no extremist groups will be allowed to seize the Syrian capital.
He also said that the Hezbollah militias are facing great difficulties in Qalamoun, Homs and Damascus suburbs area and that the morale of their fighters has been greatly weakened recently.
According to the source, hundreds of the Shiite community in Lebanon refuse to join the Hezbollah militia.
He pointed out that regime forces have been lately trying to recruit fighters from nationalist and secular parties as the cards that Assad has been playing have become fully exposed.
He also said that the international coalition would not intervene directly, but will monitor and offer all kinds of logistical support needed to capture Damascus by the Syrians themselves.
In early May, Western diplomatic sources said that the Obama administration does not mind supporting a military escalation against the Assad regime provided there is a clear political and military plan for the post-Assad phase.
The diplomatic sources added that the Obama administration listened to Turkish and Arab proposals to establish buffer zones in Syria’s border areas or at least to provide air cover for the troops that are being trained and equipped in cooperation with the Pentagon. However, the Obama administration insists that there must be an integrated two-pronged military and political plan for the post-Assad stage.
President Khoja said earlier that the recent rebel gains in northern and southern Syria impose a new political equation.
He also said that the dynamics on the ground are accelerating beyond the ability of the supporting countries with which to to keep up, adding that we may see an abrupt and quick downfall of the Assad regime. (Source: Syrian Coalition + Agencies)
