damascus: The power in syria has been captured by hayat Tahrir al Sham (HTS) led by Mohammad abu Julani, who came from terrorist organizations like Al Qaeda and ISIS. Fighting began in late November and in just 11 days, rebel groups ended the Bashar al-Assad family’s five-decade rule. Abu Hassan al-Hamawi, commander of HTS’s military forces, revealed in an interview with the British newspaper The Guardian how his group wrested the capital from the Assad regime in 11 days. hamawi says Syrian rebels have been in control for a year. Had first started planning a military attack to overthrow the Assad regime. A new drone unit was deployed in this operation. For this, coordination was made between opposition groups across the country. HTS had started preparations for this from 2019 itself and the fighters were trained in a special way.
Emphasis on unity of rebel groups
Hamvi said, ’After 2019, when we lost important territory, all the groups realized the common threat. We learned that there is a lack of unity in the fight. In such a situation,HTS united all the anti-Assad groups. We analyzed the enemy’s strategy and increased our preparations on this basis. With this, our group of rebels became a unit of disciplined fighters. After this we collected weapons,vehicles and ammunition on a large scale. In this,special emphasis was given on drones,whose production we had started four years ago.
Humvee reported that HTS set up an operations room that brought together commanders from 25 rebel groups in the south.They coordinated their fighters with each other and with HTS in the north. This brought everyone together and in November this year everyone agreed that this was the right time to attack. The reason for this was that Assad’s international allies were busy with their own issues.
Operation started with plan
HTS began operations in Aleppo on November 29, Hamvi said. We knew that unless Aleppo fell, Damascus could not fall. In such a situation,we put full emphasis on Aleppo and as soon as this city came into our hands,victory started appearing. Four days later we captured Hama and then Homs. After this, we moved towards Damascus with full confidence and on december 8, Bashar al-Assad fled the country.
Al Hamawi,who studied engineering at Damascus University,says the prospect of building a new country is no easy task but he hopes things will improve. On the issue of minorities, Hamawi said, ‘Minorities are also part of the nation and they have all the rights like other Syrian citizens.’
How has HTS’s approach to unity among rebel factions influenced the overall dynamics of the conflict in Syria?
Interview with Abu Hassan al-Hamawi: Unveiling the Strategy Behind HTS’s Control in Syria
Editor of Time.news (TN): Good day, Abu Hassan al-Hamawi. thank you for joining us to discuss the recent developments regarding the control of power in Syria. You’ve led Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) through a critically important transition. Can you elaborate on the strategic maneuvers that led to the rapid success in capturing Damascus?
Abu Hassan al-Hamawi (AH): Thank you for having me.The journey towards reclaiming our contry began years ago. Our pivotal moment was after 2019 when we experienced considerable territorial losses. It became clear that fragmentation among the rebel groups was our foremost challenge. Realizing this common threat, we united all anti-Assad factions to coordinate our efforts more effectively.
TN: Unity among rebel groups is often cited as a vital element in conflict. How did you ensure that this unity translated into a successful military operation?
AH: We established an operations room that brought together commanders from 25 rebel factions, both in the southern regions and those aligned with HTS in the north. This inclusivity allowed us to strategize collectively. By analyzing bashar al-Assad’s tactics and coordinating our resources—including a newly developed drone unit—we transformed into a disciplined fighting force well-prepared for our offensive.
TN: In your discussion with the Guardian, you mentioned the importance of drones. Can you explain how this technological advancement impacted your operations?
AH: Absolutely. We began producing drones four years ago, which provided us with a significant tactical advantage. The drone unit enabled us to gather intelligence, conduct strikes, and support our ground troops effectively. When we launched our campaign in Aleppo on November 29, we knew its fall was crucial for advancing to Damascus. Increased coordination with the drone unit contributed to our swift victories in Hama and Homs, ultimately leading to the fall of the Assad regime in just 11 days.
TN: Clearly, timing was essential. You highlighted that Assad’s international allies were preoccupied during your operation. How did this contribute to your successful strategy?
AH: Timing is everything in warfare. By late November, we assessed that Assad’s allies were distracted by their own issues, which provided a window of possibility. this was the moment we had all agreed upon to launch our attack. Political dynamics can shift swiftly, and we capitalized on this uncertainty.
TN: Looking forward, you’ve expressed optimism about building a new Syria. What are your thoughts on integrating minorities into this vision of a new nation?
AH: Minorities are an integral part of our nation.The future of Syria must be inclusive, ensuring that all citizens have equal rights and portrayal. We aspire to create a society rooted in mutual respect, where every group can contribute to the nation’s reconstruction and growth.
TN: As an expert and leader,what practical advice would you offer to other factions or leaders in similar situations?
AH: Unity and collaboration are paramount. Different groups must come together to face common adversities. Focusing on collective strategies, sharing resources, and enhancing dialog can significantly improve outcome potential. Additionally, the importance of understanding the battlefield and leveraging technology cannot be understated in modern warfare.
TN: thank you, Abu Hassan al-Hamawi, for your insights into this critical phase of Syria’s history. Your outlook sheds light on the complexities of conflict and the hope for a united future.
AH: Thank you for the opportunity. It is indeed crucial for us to keep the dialogue open as we work towards rebuilding our homeland.