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 as 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 completely out of regime control for the first time as the civil war began in 2011. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (OSDH), the insurgents have advanced “without encountering important 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 have international alliances influenced the outcome of battles in Syria, notably in cities like Aleppo?
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Syrian Conflict Expert
Editor: Welcome to Time.news, everyone.Today, we have an expert in middle Eastern politics, Dr. sarah Khalil, joining us to discuss the recent and rapid changes in Syria, specifically the fall of President Bashar Al-Assad.Thank you for being here, Dr. Khalil.
Dr. Khalil: Thank you for having me! It’s great to be here to discuss thes pivotal events.
Editor: let’s dive right in. The article highlights that the offensive by the rebels, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), began on November 27. What factors contributed to their sudden offensive?
Dr. Khalil: The offensive was surprising to many observers,but several factors played a role. Firstly, HTS, which has roots in the former Syrian branch of Al-Qaeda, capitalized on the existing discontent within the population and among rebel groups. Their coordination with other factions, particularly the support from Turkey, provided them with strategic advantages in terms of both manpower and resources.
Editor: That makes sense. By November 29, as the article states, rebels were at the gates of Aleppo. Why is Aleppo particularly significant in this context?
Dr. Khalil: Aleppo is not only Syria’s second-largest city but also its economic heart. Its capture would severely undermine the Assad regime’s control and symbolize a major victory for the opposition. The city holds strategic military importance due to its infrastructure, and losing it would mean losing significant economic resources and support base.
editor: The article mentions intense airstrikes from the Syrian army and its Russian ally in response to the rebels’ advances. How effective were these airstrikes in altering the course of the conflict at that stage?
Dr. Khalil: Although the airstrikes were designed to deter the rebels and attempt to regain control,they ultimately faltered in stopping the momentum built by the opposition. The ongoing fragmentation of the assad’s military capabilities and low morale, compounded by international scrutiny and sanctions, meant that even intense bombardments could not achieve the desired effect of reversing the offensive.
Editor: This conflict has been characterized by shifting alliances and brutal tactics. With much of Aleppo falling into rebel hands just a few days later, what are the implications for Bashar Al-Assad’s regime moving forward?
Dr.Khalil: The fall of key cities like Aleppo represents a significant blow to Assad’s legitimacy and his regime’s stability. If the rebels maintain this momentum and continue to forge alliances,it could lead to further territorial losses for the government. This situation also ignites questions about the potential for a broader restructuring of power in Syria, especially if outside actors decide to intervene.
Editor: With changing dynamics every day, what should international observers be watching for in the coming weeks?
Dr. Khalil: They should monitor any changes in military alliances, the responses from regional players like Turkey and Russia, and how civilian populations are affected. Moreover, the humanitarian situation will be critical, as we’ve seen in past escalations. The international community must pay attention to efforts to stabilize the regions that have turned towards the rebels.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Khalil. Your insights into these complex developments are invaluable. We appreciate your time.
Dr. Khalil: Thank you, it’s been a pleasure discussing such an crucial issue.
Editor: And to our viewers, stay tuned for more updates on the situation in Syria and other global happenings right here at Time.news.