as we're saying that events moving pretty quickly focus to the significance of what we're seeing in damascus with the position fighters entering the capital. well, no doubt, this is history in the making. it may be too early for us to declare that damascus has fallen in that it is now a new beginning for syria, an end to what many have called the dynasty, because it wasn't just a bizarre. and i said, who's been in power since the year 2000, it was his father before him. this the past 10 days, we've seen a fast moving developments of the rebels taking territory from, from the government and at an unprecedented speed, we saw the syrian army, whatever was left of the regime forces crumbles. they put up a little resistance and even in damascus we are getting no reports of,

of resistance by a government troops. in fact, the reports we are getting is, as the rebels move in government troops are, are withdrawing our fleeing are abandoning a strategic positions in, in the capital. and that's what we've been seeing over the past 10 days, whether it's was and how long or, or it's when it began in a level you had they, they gave up control of a level international airport. and then we had a hammer. and after that, holmes, yesterday rebels pushed into the 3rd largest city homes. there was a few hours of, of clashes but, but it wasn't difficult for, for the rebels to, to, to take control of serious 3rd largest city and just a matter of hours. and now we are talking about the seat of power, the political capital of the sure. and i said we have a, we still do not know where the syrian president is. is he still in damascus?

did he live serial altogether? or did he move to the coastal areas, the provinces of lots of key on our toes, of the heartland of the white community, the support base of a president of the chart? a said. so these are the, you know, it's history in the making. we keep talking about the past 10 days and how the rebels carried out this lightning advance against the government. but this is a combination of 13 years of, of struggle on the part of the opposition on the part of the syrian people who are, who wanted and who have been fighting for a new syria. yeah. same as you were saying that some news report suggesting the syrian president bush aside has left the country as you were saying, we don't know, but if true is that it would be a significant development as well. that's no doubt because in many,

many ways the syrian president, the sure and a said the a would not have been able to survive this uprising if it were not for the support that he received from the russian military, from his iranian allies and their local allies. they sent thousands of troops to keep, to keep the regime and power. it was the rest of the military intervention back in 2015, which really saves the regime. and, and he was at his most vulnerable points back then. and it does something the russians have to have repeatedly said, and when ever they were a, you know, in disagreement with the charlotte, i said they would remind him of how they did save his his regime. and now, you know, we are seeing his allies in one way or the other. maybe we could also use the word abandon him, but they definitely did not show or,

or mobilized. there's troops to support him. despite the statements of supports coming from russian officials, a rodney and officials, of course, there are issues at play here. his allies are busy with their own problems with their own conflicts. russia and ukraine has the law has the law has been facing, has been under, is really attack for weeks. they have lost a few 1000 fighters in the past 2 weeks. and they, they have lost military infrastructure. and this rate of campaign against has beloved, wasn't just confined to lebanese territory as it were out uh, was targeting a ron and its allies in syria, the grading the military capabilities of these groups for years. yes, we saw the intense campaign in the past few weeks, but this has been going on for years. so what are the syrian president bashar assad?

all right, so it looks like we, it looks like we were having some communication problems with getting ahold of the it was actually trying to make her way to the syrian border. she's actually in, by route at the moment, and she's on her way to the syrian board as she's just updating us on events, rapid moving events taking place in syria. the pictures you are looking at on your screen of residents, the celebrating with opposition fighters in the capital, domestic us dramatic events unfolding on tv screens, overnights and this morning. if we can, we'll try and get back to saying a little bit later in the program. but let's just, let's just move on because syrian state tv has been showing a documentary. so we're not sure what the documentary is about, and we'll try and get some, some feedback from zayna hold on when we can reconnect with her a little bit later in the program. but let's just move on for a 2nd because in just over a week, just not context events happening fighters, i've captured large parts of syria in an unprecedented offensive. these areas in

red control by government forces backed by iran and syria, with the green areas show territory controlled by the opposition on group higher terrier alshaun need to push back the syrian national army. on november 27th, they lost a surprise offensive and it live capturing syria is 2nd largest city level as well . the opposition is not pushing southwards, is taking control of a city of hama and how to live along a major highway buildings the city to homes. and of course, the capital damascus. moscow has responded by increasing as strikes. meanwhile, in northern syria, the yellow areas are controlled by the serbian democratic forces. the kurdish lead fight is supported by us troops. and they've been fighting against government forces, an eyesore fighters in the area. let's get more of this down. speak to david ross. she's professor at the national defense university informant. pens come director of the re been put into the affairs of joins us live from washington,

dc. i'm so i'll position fights as david saying they've entered the capital, damascus. some report suggest even asked himself, may have fled the situation though still not clear, but whatever the case at this ribbon offensive has been extremely rapid. how's that happened to so quickly, david? well, because of the lack of morale and leadership in this year and air forces, so going all the way back to uh, 2011 and an orange for 2014 the intervention of uranium in russian forces. he started to get reports about how the syrian aero brushing forces were basically not uh, well led, more interested in extorting bribes from the civilian population and, and actually fighting. and the actual fighting was being done primarily by iranian lead proxy supported with air power from russia. when russian air powers remove this, it has been and the rainy and lake per proxies are unable to engage in battle. what

you have left is demoralized poorly lead, fully equipped, a thoroughly corrupt institution, and people just aren't willing to take chances under those circumstances. and i'm and david, what about the syrian president himself? i mean, no invitations yet the palace, low key institutions of pilot have been taken. but of course, if damascus fools it's a lawyer. but for us that isn't it really well, not really. i mean, it is certainly not good, but so you know, he's a member of the, i'll await. sex is that is controlled syria, you know, his father, obviously. uh and there heartland is actually to the areas west of the level, how about homes highway between the lebanese and the turkish border. i'm friends actually wanted to make that and then a country and 1924. so it's possible,

but he could retreat there. and basically, amongst a relatively friendly population, that's also the location of the russian naval base and the russian main airbase in syria. so there is a possibility, he could scoot their retrench that would give the russians in the rainy and some opportunity recruits some of the funds that they've spent on him. and he could probably, uh, hold out there. uh, it's difficult to rein in so friendly population. david, in terms of the treat them ask us yeah, i mean, in terms of the military dynamic on the ground. and this looks like, as you were saying, a complete route of a syrian army that seemed to put up any kind of effective fight against the opposition forces. how surprising is that and why? and it's just, it's pretty surprising. the main reason is the syrian army has always performed poorly in battle, except arguably the exception of the 1973,

the initial phase of the 1973. what the explanation has always been that the best sooner the syrian army, the 4th mechanized division that is kept in damascus to protect the regime. so there won't be a crew like there was $67.00 when bush's father over through the government in the course of the 6 days for the i would have expected that the 4th division would have been deployed in the defense of damascus. right now there's no indication of that. um, the 4th division is commanded by a bachelor's brother, but it's also the lead producer of kept going with industry and state and kept are gone. the captain got increased by serious more than the g d. p of syria. so you would expect them to put up some sort of site if only to protect their economic interest. but it looks as though the corruption and perhaps a hard feelings over how the proceeds from the cap sales are distributed. have led

to your morale. and you know, it is surprising to see resistance following up so quickly. david, what about syria is key allies, russia and iran? i mean, there are reports from the quotes unconfirmed that are runs. proxy has blah, we're seeing pulling out their forces along the lebanese border and, and russia, or, of course, seems to be looking for a diplomatic, a frontier. i mean, if it, to be abandoned outside the house. i mean, you know, literally says beloved, is unable to operate effectively. they're fighting for their life. they're being destroyed in lebanon. and when they are, you know, any significant concentrations. evans syria are attacked by israel, which has basically operated at will in syria and aerospace, even before the collapse of let me says for iran, reportedly has ordered its senior revolutionary guard officials who generally

command the various militias of some iraqis. f gans packs fairies and who provide the key weapons in logistics. and sometimes intelligence guided level, he says, bowler, they pull those guys out. they don't want to have anymore was anymore lives in syria and russia and has moved all their ships out of there. naval base and tartar switch, you know, that's a 50 year old base. it pre exists specialists such machine. and it is their only active naval base in the mediterranean, but they basically view it is on search slate for band. and so it looks as though the 2 main patrons of a side have concluded, it's too risky to stay. and even though they're owned and a lot of money, like upwards of $10000000000.00 each. they may be writing that off because they just can't stay there and keep in power any longer. they've and you'll,

there in washington dc. so let's talk about the us position here. i mean, as we may have a transition of power in washington in january next year, i mean, donald trump has already said that the us should not be involved in the survey and conflict. yeah, that's not just trump's position. so recall back in the obama administration, when i started was using chemical weapons against civilian populations. and uh, obama said that was a red line. you know, don't do that, or else we'll get involved militarily. he was unable to carry his own party. the democratic party basically told him, no, we, we did not elect you to start the police worse. we elected, you see, and, and so the united states stepped back in many serious will say that that was found the trail. so what you have is a broad consensus the united states has no will to get involved in here. we have a no real interest in the part of syria or no capabilities in the part of syria

where the fighting is ongoing. we do have a small presence in the east of the country, but that is hundreds of kilometers away from where the fighting is going on. and really is part of our effort against i ash, uh, you know, which started in syria then spreading toward rock. so it's kind of hard, you know, united states is a very big and powerful country, but we really don't have a lot of ability to affect these things in syria. we're pretty much spectators and we're probably in a pretty far down the list of countries who have the ability to shape transferring count the am, unless to stay with the opposition because it's always easy in any kind of asymmetric wolf. conflicts for opposition forces to fight, to liberate areas. david, but the opposition, they of course, many different display groups that need to unite to rebuild the serial once the fighting stops. and that's going to be a huge challenge, isn't it? well, even before you get to rebuilding syria,

you have the challenge of covering serious so some of the sudden regimes, the russians, the radiance for years. so try to depict all of the opposition to our side as um, uh basically gosh, oh or yeah. okay. the, so soon as you sell a fist terrace and you recall back at the start of the war, couldn't propose the counter terrorism alliance with the united states and tried to revive all the imagery from the board to. and that was basically directed against i ash, but what we saw was most of the syrian and russian effort was not against ash. it was against a groups like, uh, you know, is, is let us groups in the opposition about show us side. it look problems like how you to show the issue we have now is that this group is very aware of that and they are going to great lengths to try to present themselves as being

multiethnic, respectful of other religious. they've appointed the archbishop of alexa is the interim says. ready cover they're trying to counter that narrative, they're engaging, check the rules show that that's not the case. but part of us side strength has been, uh that a lot of religious groups in syria. the halloween is the christians and the sheer believe that. so this is a sunni cell self, this group that will, you know, operate like gosh, and so as they move into areas, is that or not majority, assuming it is quite possible that each to us will have problems in maintaining the speed of operations and concrete. but the final thoughts from you in terms of the broad, a, g of politics regionally. i mean, so if the mask us has more than that, it's the end of the side regime, let's say, how does this change the balance of power region and how much of a major blow is this to iran?

of course, on its entrance across the region. a yeah, it's a huge blow to iran, so let's, let's start with the tax going work or way up. so practically, control of syria is critical for iran supplying weapons, maintaining the level of supplies to lebanese has support, which is the primary check on israel very want enjoyed. i mean, it was, you know, they were not at all shy about saying, look, you know, if you attack, say our nuclear program, you're going to get, you know, tens of thousands of rockets and this was fired on you from lovely use as well. israel has, for the most part, removed, at least the near range threat of attack from, from 11 on. they've pretty much destroyed, most of liberties as bob was attacked capabilities, at least south of the little tiny river. they've also destroyed their missile depots in syria. and in the don and ron. ready lose the ability to resupply those

by the ground. so that's, that's one problem. then when you move up a little bit strategically, what you're seeing here is that in the last year since the how mos, uh, attack into israel. how moss is now basically unimed surgeon group can find within the borders of gaza. it is unable to project our inches real effectively. lebanese has paula is, has, is fighting for its life. it is not able to project, sustain military power into israel. and now we're seeing pressure loss or going, so this concept of the axis of resistance that you're on supports as really lost all credibility. and what you're seeing is that the error of armies who have served iran interest, they have suffered greatly and have almost been wiped out. but iran has not suffered at all. so that quote's so lie to this idea of

a sort of panasonic axis of resistance. suppose insiders, that really what it really is seeing as is airbus taking risk for a rainy and political influence. so it's going to be hard to re establish that. yeah. all right, david, the rush professor at the national defense university. david, always good to get your thoughts in these moments. we will also come back to later on in the program. if we can. let's move on because if it just joining us, let's remind you about breaking news, serial position forces, say the events of the capitals, damascus. the reuters news agency is quoting so. so saying, syrian president, bush or left side has left the capital damascus for an unknown destination. that's according to reports from 2 senior sources from the serial. now i'm a to see when the government has yet to comment with a short while earlier opposition forces announced they entered the syrian capital a hearing and thoughts then not facing resistance, as i guess was a saying they have a fight as of taking control of states television, damascus, airport passengers was seen fleeing as the opposition said,

the government had withdrawn from the area well, the position forces to control of the 3rd largest city homes. they've been, seems of jubilation in the city. people have been gathering in central homes and slashed posters and president special. all of a sudden, i'm climbed the statue of his father half is alongside him. another account reports syrian opposition forces have added another city to their tally. drove their forces into homes. the 3rd largest city in syria and say it is now under their control. within just a few days, the major cities of a level hama and there have fall into opposition fighters. as they approach the city center, they released hundreds of prisoners for the sake of prison. the one who sent me as

a fellow in which i had the note as we have advised them in the audit and to show compassion to the people. whoever lays down the width and women supposed to be granted safety and whoever please is not to be pursued. scenes of jubilation, played out in the heart of the city at the new clock square landmark. as the area hold strong memories for syrians, one of the largest protests against president bush are all a side to place here in 2011, which ended in mass blood shed when government forces use live rounds on protest. homes hold strong, strategic important. it's on the m 5 highway that links the north of the country to the capital, damascus. experts say the advancements are the results of careful planning. it appears to be an in circle, met strategy, and we also have rentals from the southern part of the country and the south west that are encroaching, advancing due north. so clearly, i think if,

if anything stands out about the rebel offensive, it's just how meticulously organized it is. i feel like we live 2 years just in the last 2 weeks in the middle east. government forces say there are reinforcing their positions in the capital with momentum on their side. these fighters say not only is a capital within their sites, but also within their grass rental. find out. all right to, let's give you a quick update on some of the wires we're getting here. one is very fast moving store. we owned events in syria, a serial kentucky based opposition says damascus is now without special on the side . the head of syria's main oppositional group abroad. patio buffer syrian said on sunday, but damascus is now without special alyssa, this is one of the was one of the many alerts we're getting here without a 0 on this foss developing story. coming out of syria, it goes on to the end of us on flew out of damascus for an unknown destination on

sunday consent to senior army officers told reuters as rebels said that enter the capital with no sign of ami deployments hasn't been hearing from my guests. and the correspondence, no resistance from the syrian army itself and thousands of people in cars and on foot, congregated at the main square in damascus and waving. i'm charging freedom that's according to witnesses. let's get some more context on this. now to obtain a hold of joints on the phone from by a route and they've been 11 on the same, i think we had some small communication problems with you earlier. so let's just recap everything now for our view is that we're joining us here at events moving pretty quickly. zayna. let's just catch up breath on top of through the significance of what we're seeing in damascus with those um deposition fighters entering the capitol. well, yes, the syrian opposition declaring victory declaring that this is the end of the chart, says rule his 24 year rule. and before that his father, so decades of the aside a dynasty,

they are confident that they are now in control of the political capital. the seat of power they, we understand they haven't been facing any resistance because the serious an army, the government troops are withdrawing, they are retreating. they are not fighting to protect the strategic locations in the syrian capital. the battle for damascus begun yesterday, as rebels from southern provinces made their way to the damascus country side. and as they approach the capital, we saw uprising inside the towns and villages surrounding damascus. as this did not come as a surprise. because even though the shard aside declared victory years ago, even though he russell box territory from the opposition in 2018,

forcing them into what became known as surrender deals, giving them the option to die under bombs or starve because of the siege. they surrendered, and some of the opposition fighters were put on those of green buses, bus to the opposition, held north, but people, their families stayed behind. he never reconciled with his people. so it was only a matter of time when these people realized that the armed rebels were at the gates of the mass, cuz they took to the streets, taking down posters of, of the charlotte, i saw the statues celebrating in the streets. and now the armed rebels are inside, inside the capital itself, and people are, people are celebrated. and so, no doubt, these are historic moments. it's been

a historic 10 days. the lightning advanced by, by the rebels, which really were, were weak throughout the 13 year conflict. simply because of their disunity that they were fragmented, they may have had a common enemy, but they had a different goals, different ideologies. and now we are seeing them, of course, of outside their opposition, a stronghold, and it lip make their way to damascus. as a united force calling for a new syria. and what is also clear is that the syrian army was never be billed to be a loyal army and they. ready all right, so it looks as though we're still having some problems with the corresponding. there's a now hold a who's, i'm on her way from the lebanese capital heading towards the syrian border, just to give us an updates on these dramatic events happening in syria.

well, we'll try and get it back a little bit later, but earlier the lead of higher terrier i'll show him a promise to protect people in areas of the group controls. when you brothers, we are living in the final moments of the liberation of homes by the will of god. this is a historic event that will distinguish between truth and false that we are following which are heading, as we have advised them in the past to show compassion to the people. whoever lays down the weapon is to be granted safety and whoever please is not to be pursued. let's take a look at the opposition alliance, which is led by higher terrier alshaun besides serial and fighting group that was formed back in 2016. it's pretty just as a down this for a front wasn't affiliated off kind of within the opposition to the outside government. since 2017, the group has tried to change its image saying it comp ties with i'll kind of well now it runs a self styled civilian authority and it lived known as the salvation government that provides civil services like tax collection and security and supervisors to

help education, an agricultural sectors. it's become the strongest opposition group in northwest and syria. controlling much of it live prevents near the turkish border with no commercial necessary and journalist. he says the message of units here from hyatt, terri options, leadership. poppy explains its success on the battlefield. it was stated by the political administration of the, of the opposition forces, lately that especially addressing the elevate sex here in the, in syria, that serial must be uni 5. and we, we must not allow the, a software game mistakes in the past. and in the, in the dividing the sir is even people in to and actually pushing them to sectarian mores. even though it's difficult. but we as syria is, must move on and must, for give the, the mistakes of the,

of the past. and also this is actually very smart from the political administration dressing all serious to come under the free cereal umbrella as they say. and calling for all officers and those who are fighting beside us, that you still have a chance. and we're not here to just to kill you or just to rescue over here to the nearby syria away from the a side room. and that's actually was reflected by the firm directions from dealing through apparitions, to its members that do not harm a member, a member who dropped his weapon, do not harm someone who loved the the bad and also did not harm in the civil is not caught in a treat, this acted was reflected the to the people's reassurance of the, you know, continuing their lives in the cities of other people and come out and tell us, oh that's a ton, rejoined zan. a hold of on the phone in the roots in neighboring lebanon. i'm

saying that we're having a couple of them communication problems just to let all of us know what's been happening, but to them we all kind of marching through it. i'm saying, let me just come back to you on the issue of the story and president bush, the other side, summer foot suggesting that he's left the country in fact. so i'm looking at a re, a low to which we are getting it out to 0 saying to senior serving an officer, say the serving president has left damascus to an unknown destination. if it's true, what's the significance of this? and then who's running the country? well yes, 1st of all, apologies for the connection as we are trying to make our way to the muscle border crossing between 11 on and and syria, no doubt it would be significant that bus are and i said a man who has been rolling syria since 2000 and since taking over from his late father has left, we don't know if he left the syria. eh, we don't know if he moved to the coast. so hard lines. the provinces of the lot,

the t a and tar tools.