Syrian rebel forces have advanced towards Damascus, announcing today (Saturday) that they have entered the final stage of encircling the city. Bashar al-Assad's office officially denies reports of his departure from Syria, asserting that he continues his duties from the capital, Damascus.
Opposition sources have reported that the Assad regime has lost control over the border with Israel, which is now almost entirely under the control of opposition forces and local armed groups.
In recent hours, there were reports of rebels taking over several suburbs of Damascus, but not all and not in the city center itself. The rebels also claim to have launched an offensive within the city of Homs, the third-largest city in Syria.
French media reported that Hezbollah has sent two thousand of its fighters to the Qusayr area in Syria, near the Lebanese border, to defend its positions.
Following developments in Syria, the IDF announced a further reinforcement of infantry battalions on the Golan Heights border. This is in addition to yesterday's decision to reinforce Division 210, responsible for the area, with hundreds of additional soldiers from training units. The IDF also held an exercise yesterday simulating rushing forces northwards in response to an evolving incident, with some of the soldiers involved remaining in the Golan Heights.