Rebels captured Damascus with little resistance from Assad’s forces after a lightning advance through Aleppo, Hama, and the capital itself. The rebels took advantage of distractions and conflicts involving Syria’s backers, including Russia in Ukraine and Iran and Hezbollah fighting Israel. The surprise victory shocked experts and even Moscow. The civil war in Syria began in 2011 after Assad crushed peaceful protests during the Arab Spring, leading to a complex conflict with various international powers involved. The conflict had been at a stalemate until the rebels’ recent gains. The war displaced more than 13 million people, with 7 million internally displaced and 6 million abroad, contributing to a migration crisis in Europe. Assad’s regime’s brutality was highlighted by reports of political prisons where people were disappeared, tortured, and executed. The rebels, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, now face uncertainty as they plan the next steps in Syria. The group’s leader, Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, has renounced extremism and seeks to create an Islamic republic in Syria while promoting religious tolerance and internal debate. However, many complexities and challenges remain as the country transitions from decades of Baath Party rule.
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Assad’s downfall, HTS, and what the future holds
