Insurgents target Syrian capital in surprise attack

World Today

In a surprising breach of the capital’s security perimeter, insurgents infiltrated government-held parts of Damascus.

CGTN’s Alaa Ebrahim reports on the Syrian crisis.

A period of relative calm on the eastern outskirts of Damascus was shattered when a coalition of rebel fighters launched a large-scale offensive targeting the eastern districts of the capital.

The coordinated assault included car explosions, fighters utilizing tunnels and several suicide bombers. It was launched as Syrian army units made gains in the northeastern district of Al-Qabun. Rebel leaders involved in the attack told CGTN the move towards Damascus helped the insurgents advance while breaking Syrian Army defense lines. But a senior military source told CGTN that the setbacks sustained by the Syrian Army can be attributed to the large front militants attacked – spanning more than twelve kilometers. However, the same source told CGTN that rebel gains were insignificant and will be reversed.

The fighting comes as another round of Syrian talks are due to begin in Geneva, Switzerland.  

Beijing has stated its support for a peaceful solution to the Syria crisis. China’s Ambassador to Syria Qi Qianjin believes a more constructive role in the political process will ensure progress.

“China has made its stance clear on the Syria issue, and it has actively participated in all UN-mediated negotiations and other mediations since the crisis broke out,” Our general policy remains the same, which is a peaceful solution to the Syria crisis. We hope the conflict will be ended through negotiations because negotiations are the only solution.”

China appointed a special envoy on the Syria crisis in 2016. Qi cites the recent peace talks in Astana and Geneva as examples of progress.