1/ As HTS (supported by Turkey) rapidly advances from the north towards Damascus, more moderate rebel groups (supported by Jordan, US) are already approaching Damascus suburbs from the south. The question is: Are both groups allies or rivals? 
2/ HTS is still around Homs, 160 kms from Damascus. In the meantime, rebel groups from the south are already much closer to the capital. They are NOT HTS. They are a mix of rebels from Daraa, Suwayda & Tanf (where 200 US ground troops are stationed).
3/ The rebel coalition in the south has published a statement yesterday saying they are heading to Damascus and are against terrorism and sectarianism. This of course is clearly meant to distance themselves from HTS, which has Al-Qaeda roots and is still on the US terror list.
4/ This is the statement, published on Friday by the "Southern Operations Room". They write: "We extend our hands to all the components of a new unified Syria, free from the grip of terrorism & sectarianism..."
5/ Traditionally, rebel groups in the south near Jordan were less influenced by extremist groups such as Nusra, HTS or ISIS. This because Jordan -contrary to Turkey- kept its borders with Syria closed &didn't allow foreign fighters to sneak into Syrian opposition territories.
6/ Also the foreign backers of opposition groups in the north and the south of Syria are different. HTS and SNA in the north are mainly supported by Turkey, while Jordan and the US support the groups in the south.
7/ So who will reach Damascus first? Groups from the north or from the south? And are both groups coordinating operations or not? If not, will there be a stand-off possibly leading to a Libya scenario whereby the country gets carved up by different rebel groups and backers?
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