The course of events until the fall of Bashar Al-Assad
In just over ten days, and to everyone’s surprise, the rebels led by the Islamists of Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTC) conquered the main cities of Syria and overthrew President Bashar Al-Assad. A chronological look at the events leading up to this historic night:
- November 27: The offensive begins
HTC,a movement dominated by the former Syrian branch of Al-Qaeda,and the rebels supported by Turkey attack the territories controlled by the Al-Assad regime in the province of aleppo (North) from Idlib,the last major rebel and jihadist bastion in Syria. The regime responds with air strikes.
- November 29: rebels at the gates of Aleppo
The rebel coalition bombs Aleppo and arrives at the gates of the city,the second largest in the country and its economic heart,after having conquered more than fifty other locations in the North. The Syrian army and its Russian ally responded with intense air raids on Idlib and its region.
- November 30: Much of Aleppo is in rebel hands
The rebels take control of much of Aleppo, including the airport, government buildings and prisons. Russian planes bomb Aleppo for the first time since the total reconquest of the city by regime forces in 2016. The coalition also takes over the strategic city of Saraqeb.
- December 1: fall of Aleppo
Rebels take control of Aleppo,which is fully out of regime control for the first time since the civil war began in 2011.According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (OSDH), the insurgents have advanced “without encountering significant resistance”.
- December 2: Iran and Russia come to Al-Assad’s aid
Pro-Turkish rebel groups take the town of Tal Rifaat (north), which was in the hands of Kurdish forces. Russia and Iran provide support “unconditional” to Assad’s Syria. Syrian and Russian planes bomb rebel areas in northwestern Syria, killing at least eleven people.
- December 5: Fall of Hama
The rebels take control of the country’s fourth city, Hama, where a statue of former president Hafez Al-assad – father of Bashar Al-Assad – is pulled down by the population. In nearby Homs, panicked residents are fleeing en masse. According to the OSDH, the toll from a week of fighting exceeds 700 deaths.
- December 7: fall of Homs
The rebels take Homs, the third largest city in the country. Rebels say they have freed more than 3,500 prisoners from Homs prison.
They take control of the entire province of Deraa (South), cradle of the 2011 uprising, and are 20 kilometers from Damascus.
- 7 and 8 December: rebels in Damascus, Al-Assad flees
On the night of December 7-8, the HTC announced that it had entered Damascus and captured the Saydnaya prison, a symbol of the regime’s worst abuses. The rebels and the OSDH announce that Bashar Al-Hassad has left Syria by plane, after twenty-four years in power. Shortly after his departure, Damascus airport was abandoned by government forces.
Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi Al-Jalali says he is ready to collaborate “any leadership that the Syrian people choose”.
How did international support influence the recent rebel advances against Assad’s regime?
time.news Interview: The Fall of Bashar Al-Assad - A New Era in Syria
Editor: Welcome to Time.news! Today we have the priviledge of speaking with Dr. Ahmed Saleh, an expert in Middle Eastern politics and the Syrian conflict. Dr. Saleh, thank you for joining us.
Dr. Saleh: Thank you for having me. It’s a critical time for understanding the dynamics of the region.
Editor: Indeed. Just recently, we witnessed a series of rapid and surprising developments culminating in the fall of bashar Al-Assad. Can you give us an overview of how these events unfolded?
Dr. Saleh: Certainly. It all began on November 27, when Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTC), a group with roots in Al-Qaeda, launched an offensive in the Aleppo province. This was not an isolated movement; it was part of a larger coalition of rebels supported by Turkey who aimed to reclaim territory from Assad’s regime.
Editor: The speed of this offensive was quite astonishing. By November 30, much of Aleppo was already in rebel hands. What factors contributed to this swift advancement?
Dr. saleh: Several factors played a role.Firstly, the rebels’ strategic planning and collaboration with external supporters like Turkey provided them with the necessary resources and military support. Secondly, the Assad regime was heavily reliant on air strikes, which, while powerful, could not fully suppress the insurgency as HTS coordinated ground offensives effectively.
Editor: You mentioned air strikes—did the regime’s reliance on aerial tactics contribute to its vulnerabilities?
Dr. Saleh: Absolutely. As the regime focused on air power to combat the advancing rebels, they left ground positions open to exploitation. This became particularly evident when the opposition not only bombed Aleppo but managed to control critical supply routes leading to the city. The combination of poor ground strategy and intense rebel coordination led to their rapid gains.
Editor: And what role did the geography of Syria, particularly the Aleppo region, play in this conflict?
Dr.Saleh: aleppo has historically been the economic heart of Syria, making its control essential. The province’s layout allowed for guerrilla tactics and encirclement strategies that the rebels capitalized on. By pushing from Idlib into Aleppo, the rebels cut off supply lines and struck at the regime’s core just when it was least expected.
Editor: With such drastic changes in power dynamics, how do you foresee the political landscape evolving in syria now that Assad has been overthrown?
Dr. saleh: The fall of Bashar Al-Assad could be a pivotal moment, but the future remains uncertain. The power vacuum could lead to infighting among various factions, including those allied to HTC and other opposition forces. Additionally, the international community will be watching closely, with countries like Turkey having vested interests. The situation is fluid, and while ther’s optimism for a focused transition towards democracy, the potential for conflict remains high if factions don’t find common ground.
Editor: With all these changes, what should the international community’s response be moving forward?
Dr. Saleh: Engagement will be crucial. The international community needs to promote dialog among all stakeholders to prevent descent into chaos. Humanitarian aid should be prioritized to support the civilian population, and diplomatic efforts must encourage a stable, inclusive governance structure that respects the will of the Syrian people.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Saleh, for shedding light on this rapidly developing situation. It’s an significant moment in history, and the world will be watching closely.
Dr. Saleh: Thank you for having me! It’s a pivotal time for Syria, a time for both uncertainty and hope for many.