Will this be an American revolution? Or will this be a French revolution? The difference lies in the quality of the character of its leaders. Nothing more nothing less.
Or if like Iraq, there is a vacuum of leadership, Iran can digest the vacated Syria.
Apparently, Assad’s jet for Moscow was seen departing Syria this morning.
The rebel group that overthrew the Syrian government this week was Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), led by Abu Mohammed al-Jolani. HTS spearheaded a lightning offensive that began on November 27, 2024, and culminated in the capture of Damascus and the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime on December 8, 2024.
Background of HTS
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham is believed to be an offshoot of al-Qaeda and has its roots in the al-Nusra Front, which was Syria’s branch of al-Qaeda. The group was founded by al-Jolani in 2011 to fight against the Syrian government following Assad’s crackdown on pro-democracy protesters.
Recent developments
1. HTS led a rapid campaign across Syria, capturing major cities including:
• Aleppo (Syria’s largest city)
• Hama (fourth-largest city)
• Homs (third-largest city)
• Damascus (the capital)
2. The group faced minimal resistance from the Syrian military during their campaign.
3. On December 8, 2024, HTS fighters entered Damascus, effectively ending the 50-year rule of the Assad family.
Leadership and ideology
Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, the 42-year-old leader of HTS, has been working to reshape the group’s image in recent years. He has:
• Severed ties with al-Qaeda
• Removed hardline officials
• Pledged to promote pluralism and religious tolerance
After capturing Damascus, al-Jolani called for no revenge attacks against rival groups and stated that the country should not witness any more “sectarianism and tyranny”.
The sudden fall of Assad’s government and the rise of HTS have raised questions about Syria’s future and the stability of the wider region. The international community, including the United Nations, is calling for urgent talks to ensure an orderly political transition in Syria.
Somewhere Beyond Right and Wrong There Is a Garden
More Americans Are Living in Malls