Assad toppled/ Syria rebel offensive/ Damascus falls/ Syrian conflict timeline/ HTS-led offensive/ Middle East geopolitics/ Newslooks/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ In just two weeks, Syrian rebels overturned 50 years of Assad family rule in a sweeping offensive that began in Aleppo and culminated in the capture of Damascus. Government forces melted away, and President Bashar al-Assad fled the country. The stunning collapse of Assad’s regime, backed by Russia and Iran, marked a turning point in Syria’s 13-year conflict. Here’s a day-by-day breakdown of the events that reshaped Syria.
Syria’s 14-Day Political Shift: Quick Looks
- Rebel Offensive Begins (Nov. 27): Armed groups launch attacks in Aleppo, escalating years of low-level violence.
- Aleppo Falls (Nov. 30): Insurgents take Syria’s largest city for the first time since 2016.
- Hama Captured (Dec. 5): Rebels secure a key crossroads in central Syria.
- Homs Overrun (Dec. 7): The gateway to Damascus falls, isolating Assad’s seat of power.
- Assad Toppled (Dec. 8): Rebels declare victory in Damascus as Assad flees the country.
Assad Regime Falls: A Timeline of Syria’s Political Shift in 2 Weeks
Deep Look
Rebel Offensive Ignites in Aleppo
On November 27, Syrian rebel forces launched a large-scale attack in northwestern Syria, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a jihadi group once aligned with al-Qaida. Weeks of government airstrikes had intensified tensions, prompting the rebels to retaliate.
Within days, the insurgents captured Aleppo, Syria’s largest city, raising the revolutionary flag over its citadel. By November 30, Aleppo was fully under rebel control, marking a pivotal victory and signaling the regime’s rapid unraveling.
Momentum Builds: Hama and Homs Fall
After Aleppo, the rebels swept through central Syria, capturing towns in Hama province before taking the provincial capital on December 5. The city’s fall, accompanied by celebrations in Assi Square, underscored the speed of the insurgents’ advance.
By December 7, the rebels had seized Homs, Syria’s third-largest city, cutting off Damascus from the coastal regions where Assad retained support. Homs’s loss marked a critical blow to the regime, as it housed one of Syria’s key oil refineries and was vital for government logistics.
Damascus and Assad’s Downfall
Russia and Iran, Assad’s primary backers, confirmed he had fled Syria. His whereabouts remain unknown, though speculation suggests he sought refuge in Moscow or a neutral state.
A Rapid Collapse of Power
Assad’s regime fell remarkably fast due to several factors:
- Weak Military Support: With Russia preoccupied in Ukraine and Hezbollah weakened by its conflict with Israel, Assad was left with minimal external assistance.
- Rebel Coordination: The HTS-led offensive demonstrated unprecedented unity among rebel factions, allowing for quick victories.
- Popular Uprisings: Civilian support fueled the rebels’ advance, with citizens in captured cities celebrating and aiding the insurgents.
International Reaction
The collapse of Assad’s government has left regional powers scrambling to adjust:
- Russia and Iran: Moscow and Tehran have called for an orderly transition but face diminished influence in Syria.
- Turkey: A key backer of Syrian opposition forces, Turkey has urged dialogue to stabilize the country.
- UN Involvement: UN envoy Geir Pedersen is pushing for urgent talks to establish a transitional government.
What’s Next for Syria?
The swift downfall of Assad’s regime offers hope for rebuilding Syria, but it also raises questions about governance, reconciliation, and the role of international actors in shaping the nation’s path forward.
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