Syrian Rebels Surprise Damascus With New Assaults<br />On the third day of fierce fighting Tuesday on the northeastern edge of Damascus, Islamist rebel groups<br />and Qaeda-linked jihadists seized an industrial area about a mile from the historic Old City, seeking to connect the isolated rebel enclave of Qaboun with the larger swath of territory they control east of the city.<br />Plumes of smoke rose over the insurgent-held northeastern districts of Jobar<br />and Qaboun as the government carried out scores of airstrikes, while rebel shells struck what are normally busy areas around Abasiyeen Square.<br />It was not immediately clear if the assault had any staying power on the ground or was more of a political message to counter the impression<br />that the government — after seizing the eastern half of Aleppo from rebels last year — had essentially won the war.<br />By ANNE BARNARDMARCH 21, 2017<br />For the first time in years, rebels demonstrated that they can threaten the capital of Syria,<br />as fierce fighting continued for a third day on the northeastern edge of the city.<br />BEIRUT — For the first time in years, Syrian insurgents have advanced on the outskirts of Damascus, demonstrating<br />that they can take territory around the capital despite a long string of defeats around the country.<br />With their monthlong offensive, government forces appear to be trying to isolate the besieged suburbs of East Ghouta<br />further to eventually force the rebels there to face a prolonged battle like that of Aleppo or surrender.
