Government forces withdraw from Quneitra as rebels advance

Rebel factions have advanced to within 20 kilometers of the capital Damascus after taking control of the southern province of Deraa, according to statements made Saturday by a rebel commander and a monitoring group.

In related developments, seven civilians were reportedly killed near Homs in airstrikes carried out by Russian and Syrian forces, according to human rights organizations monitoring the conflict. These strikes underline the ongoing toll on civilians caught in the crossfire of the decade-long war.

Meanwhile, government forces are reported to be withdrawing from Quneitra province, near the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, marking another strategic shift in the conflict. This withdrawal comes as pressure mounts on the Syrian regime from various fronts.