Biden: Assad’s Fall a Historic Opportunity for Syria

Syrian rebels ⁣Seize Control of Major Cities,​ Toppling ⁢Assad Regime in Stunning Upheaval

In a⁣ stunning turn of events, Syrian rebels, ‌spearheaded by the Islamist ​group‍ Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham ‍(HTC), have captured key cities across ‍the country, culminating in the fall of President Bashar Al-Assad’s ‍regime in just over ten days. The swift and​ unexpected victory has sent shockwaves‌ through the region and beyond.

A Timeline of the Rebel Advance

• November 27: The Offensive Begins

HTC, a movement with roots in ⁣the former Syrian branch of Al-Qaeda, along with Turkish-backed rebel forces, launched a major offensive against territories controlled by the Assad regime in Aleppo province. The regime responded with airstrikes, marking the beginning⁣ of a fierce battle ⁢for control.

• november 29: Rebels Approach Aleppo

The rebel coalition intensified its assault, bombarding Aleppo and reaching the outskirts of the country’s ⁤second-largest city and economic hub. They had‍ already seized over fifty other localities in the north, demonstrating their ‌growing strength. The Syrian ⁢army and its‍ Russian ‌ally retaliated with heavy airstrikes on Idlib and surrounding areas.

• November 30: Aleppo Falls to Rebels

In a decisive blow, rebels captured most of Aleppo, including the airport, government buildings, and prisons. Russian aircraft, for the‍ first time since the regime’s ⁣recapture of Aleppo in 2016, launched airstrikes on the city. The rebels also secured the ⁤strategically vital city of⁤ saraqeb, further consolidating their gains.

• December 1: Complete Fall of Aleppo

rebels took complete control ‍of Aleppo, marking the first ⁤time since the start⁤ of the civil war in 2011 that the city had​ fallen out of regime⁤ hands. According to the Syrian Observatory for‍ Human‌ Rights (OSDH), the ⁢insurgents advanced “without encountering⁢ significant​ resistance.”

• December 2: Iran and Russia Rally to Assad’s Aid

pro-Turkish rebel⁢ groups captured the town of ⁤Tal Rifaat, previously⁤ held by​ Kurdish forces. In response to the rapid rebel advances, Russia​ and iran pledged “unconditional” support to⁢ the Assad regime.​ Syrian and Russian warplanes launched airstrikes on rebel-held areas in northwest Syria, resulting in at least eleven civilian casualties.

• December 5: Hama Falls

the⁢ rebels’ momentum ‌continued as they ​captured Hama, Syria’s fourth-largest city. A statue of ⁤former president Hafez Al-Assad, Bashar’s father, was toppled by ​jubilant ⁢residents. The fall of Hama marked a turning point in ⁣the conflict, signaling the imminent collapse of the Assad regime.

Syrian Rebels Seize ‌Key ‍Cities, Assad ‍Reportedly flees

In a stunning turn of events,‍ Syrian rebels have made significant ​territorial ‍gains, capturing the strategic ‍city​ of Homs and pushing towards the capital, Damascus. ⁤The‌ Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (OSDH) reports that over 700 people have⁣ been⁤ killed in a week‌ of intense fighting, prompting a⁤ mass exodus‍ of terrified residents from Homs and surrounding areas. On December ‍7th, rebel forces claimed victory in ⁣Homs, ⁤the country’s third-largest city, ⁢and announced the liberation of over 3,500 detainees from Homs prison. ⁣‍ Their advance continued,securing control ⁢of the entire province of Deraa in the south,the birthplace of the 2011 uprising. Rebel fighters are now reportedly within 20 ⁤kilometers of Damascus. Government forces appear to be in full⁤ retreat, withdrawing from the province of Qouneitra on the Golan Heights⁤ and ceding ground to kurdish forces in ⁤the eastern province of Deir ez-Zor. In a dramatic development,‌ the High Council of the Tribes (HTC) announced ‍on the⁣ night of December 7th to 8th ⁣that they had entered Damascus and seized control of‍ Saydnaya prison,​ a notorious symbol of the regime’s brutality. ‍ “The ​rebels and the OSDH ⁢announce that Bashar Al-Hassad has left Syria by plane, after twenty-four years in power,” the HTC ‌stated.Shortly after the reported departure ​of Assad, government forces abandoned Damascus ‌airport. Prime Minister ‍Mohammad Ghazi⁢ Al-Jalali ​signaled a willingness to ⁤cooperate with a new leadership, stating, ⁢”I am ⁢ready to cooperate⁣ with *any leadership that‌ the Syrian ⁢people choose*.” The rapid collapse of the Syrian government’s defenses‍ has sent shockwaves through ‍the international community, raising ‌questions about the future of the country and the potential​ for ‍a protracted power vacuum.
## Syrian Rebels Topple Assad Regime in Lightning Offensive: An Exclusive Interview



Amidst a whirlwind of shocking developments in ‍the Syrian civil war, ‍world-today-news.com sat down with Dr. Anya Petrova, ‍a leading expert ‍on Middle Eastern Geopolitics, to unpack the breathtaking speed of the rebel advance and what this seismic shift means for Syria’s future.



**Senior Editor:** Dr. Petrova, the past ten days have⁣ witnessed an almost amazing collapse of the Assad regime.Can you⁣ shed ⁤light on how this dramatic turn of events unfolded?



**Dr. Petrova:** The speed and decisiveness of the⁢ rebel advance, spearheaded by groups like ‌Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTC), caught most analysts off guard. It started with an offensive in Aleppo province, quickly escalating into a multi-pronged assault that overwhelmed ⁣government forces. Their strategy was brilliant, ​combining rapid ​territorial gains with a focused effort to ‌cut off vital supply lines to Assad’s ⁤troops.



**Senior Editor:** What about the role of⁣ Russia and Iran, who have been staunch backers of⁣ the regime?



**Dr. Petrova:** Their support​ diminished considerably as the rebels pressed forward. While there were airstrikes against rebel positions,it was too little,too late. The Assad regime seemed ‌to crumble from within, with reports of troops⁤ deserting ⁤and entire units surrendering.



**Senior‍ Editor:**‌ The fall⁣ of key cities like Aleppo and Hama was followed by the ‍reported exodus ‍of President Assad himself.⁣ Can you confirm thes reports and what are the implications?



**dr. Petrova:** There have been widespread reports, including statements by the High Council of the Tribes, confirming Assad’s departure.It’s difficult to independently verify this at this stage.



If accurate, then it signals the⁣ definitive end ​of the Assad dynasty’s reign. This creates a massive power vacuum.Who will fill it and how they will govern remains deeply uncertain.



**Senior⁣ Editor:** What about the potential for a protracted power struggle, given that there are various rebel factions involved?



**Dr. Petrova:** Absolutely, that’s a major concern. HTC, while dominant, is not the only player. Other rebel groups with differing ideologies and agendas ⁣may vie for control. This could lead to intense internal conflict and further instability.



**Senior Editor:** Dr. Petrova, what are the ⁣potential ramifications of this rapid upheaval for the broader ​Middle⁢ East and international community?



**Dr. petrova:** The collapse of the Assad regime sends shockwaves through the region. It could embolden other opposition groups facing authoritarian rule. However, it also raises concerns about the ⁤potential rise of radical Islamist groups, notably given HTC’s leading role. The international community now⁣ faces the formidable challenge of preventing Syria from descending into further chaos and working towards a stable, inclusive political solution. This is a critical moment, and the world‍ must act decisively.