In a significant development in the ongoing conflict in Syria, rebel forces have reportedly taken control of the oil-rich city of Deir al-Zour. The rebels, led by senior commander Hassan Abdul-Ghani of the Islamist militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), have claimed to have liberated the city and its military airport.
According to reports from the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), Kurdish forces that had been in control of Deir al-Zour have withdrawn to other areas following the rebel takeover. The city had come under Kurdish control after former President Bashar al-Assad withdrew his troops earlier in the week.
The capture of Deir al-Zour is seen as a strategic move by the rebel forces as they aim to secure the country’s oil resources. The city, located in eastern Syria, is known for its significant oil reserves and its capture could provide a major boost to the rebel forces in their ongoing conflict with the Syrian government.
The situation in Syria remains highly volatile and complex, with various factions vying for control of territory and resources. The rebel takeover of Deir al-Zour is likely to have widespread implications for the region and could further escalate tensions in the already conflict-ridden country.
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