The atmosphere in Damascus is extremely tense as the rebels advance, according to the BBC. Residents describe an atmosphere of uncertainty and fear, with many scrambling to stock up on essentials as prices soar.

“I bought a gas tank today for 1.2 million. Syrian pounds (72 British pounds)’one resident reported. “Yesterday, it cost just £160,000. Now I’m learning that it’s not even easy to find anymore.”

Eyad, another resident, also described his anguish: “The tension is everywhere. Suddenly it’s real for everyone. Even my pack of cigarettes has been increasing every time I buy it since yesterday – it has increased three times in 24 hours.”

Ali, a 27-year-old graduate student at Damascus University, spoke of the challenges: “We have had our problems here in the past – lack of electricity, lack of fuel but this is better than having an appointed terrorist ruling our city. I feel anxious, sure, but what can I do?’

Sadi preferred to stay at home in Damascus to monitor developments in Syria, where rebels, led by Islamist extremists, continue to advance on strategic cities.

“I had no desire to go out and we all preferred to stay at home to learn the news surrounded by our own people”said the young student, who did not want to reveal his last name. “We don’t understand anything anymore. Within a week, the developments were such that they are beyond us. The concern is obvious, but we must learn to keep our cool.”Sandy said, while his cell phone kept coming up with messages.

On November 27, a coalition of rebels led by the radical Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the former al-Qaeda affiliate in Syria, launched a blitzkrieg in the northwest and captured several cities, including Aleppo and Hama. This was the most impressive, fastest advance by the rebels in the 13 years of the war in Syria.

Government forces launched a counterattack.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said, however, that the army withdrew today from the city of Homs, which is 150 kilometers from the capital Damascus. The Ministry of Defense denied this.

In Damascus, many residents are trying to gather supplies to be prepared. “Every time there are rumors, they throw bread, rice, sugar, detergents”says 56-year-old Amin, who runs a grocery store in the Sheikh Saad neighborhood. “Today I restocked twice, to meet the demand”commented.

Rumors and fake news increase residents’ anxiety and worry. The Ministry of Defense has denounced the circulation of fake videos, such as one showing explosions at the headquarters of the general staff, and called on the public not to believe the “lies”, whose aim is to “sow chaos and panic”.

Due to this situation, the price of some products increased by 30% in the capital, as residents say. At the same time, the dollar broke every record: its exchange rate, from 15,000 pounds on November 27, today reached 19,000 Syrian pounds.

In the restaurants and cafes of the Bab Sharkey district, the crowd is sparse. Some shops close after dark due to lack of customers.

Damascus University has indefinitely postponed term exams and the Syrian Football Federation has suspended matches until further notice, at the request of most first-division teams.

Today was a quiet day. The official SANA news agency reported that during the Friday prayer in the mosques, the imams called on the faithful “not to panic (…) and stand as one man by the side of the Syrian Arab army to defend the homeland”, stressing that it is “the everyone’s responsibility”.

Some local radio stations no longer broadcast entertainment programs but only news bulletins and patriotic songs. And on television channels, political analysts and correspondents succeed each other. Sometimes they get the word “eyewitnesses” from big cities who deny that the rebels have captured other areas, besides Aleppo and Hama.

As uncertainty hangs over the capital, the people of Damascus are bracing for what’s next.