The Swift Advance of HTS Rebels and the Crumbling Regime of Bashar al-Assad
The Syrian civil war has taken a dramatic turn with the rapid advance of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) rebels, capturing key cities and threatening the very foundation of President Bashar al-Assad’s regime. The fall of Hama, a strategic city linking Aleppo to Damascus, marks a significant blow to Assad, highlighting the weakening grip of his forces. The rebels’ momentum continues, raising concerns about the fate of Homs and the potential isolation of Damascus from Assad’s coastal strongholds.
HTS, a group designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the US, has orchestrated a lightning offensive, seizing Aleppo and then swiftly capturing Hama. The rebels’ advance has been met with little resistance, even forcing the retreat of Assad’s elite Tiger Forces, a unit linked to the feared Syrian air force intelligence. Unconfirmed reports suggest that the rebels have even seized Assad’s warplanes at Hama airport, further demonstrating the regime’s waning control.
The potential siege of Homs looms large as the rebels march closer to the city. Thousands of civilians have already fled their homes in anticipation of the impending conflict. The capture of Homs would cut off Damascus from the coastal region, a crucial stronghold for Assad’s sect and the location of Russian military bases. This strategic loss would further weaken Assad’s position and potentially shift the balance of power in the ongoing conflict.
The leader of HTS, Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, has declared the overthrow of Assad as the ultimate objective. He envisions a government based on institutions and a council chosen by the people. Jolani argues that the regime’s demise has been inevitable, despite attempts by Iran and Russia to prop it up. He portrays HTS as part of a larger project to rebuild Syria, dismissing concerns about Islamic governance as misunderstandings.
The rebels’ swift advance and capture of key cities demonstrate the growing strain on Assad’s forces. The retreat of the Tiger Forces and the potential seizure of warplanes at Hama airport underscore the regime’s vulnerability. As the rebels close in on Homs, the threat of a siege similar to Aleppo’s looms, potentially further isolating Damascus and weakening Assad’s grasp on power.
HTS’s rise to prominence and Jolani’s vision for a new Syria raise questions about the future of the conflict. While the group attempts to present a more moderate image, its past designation as a terrorist organization raises concerns. The international community’s response to HTS’s growing influence and the evolving dynamics of the Syrian civil war remain uncertain, leaving the future of the country in a precarious state. The fall of Hama and the potential fall of Homs represent a turning point in the Syrian conflict, signaling the potential collapse of Assad’s regime and the uncertain emergence of a new order under HTS’s influence. The international community watches with bated breath as the situation unfolds, uncertain of the consequences and implications of this rapidly changing landscape.
