Rebel Forces Push to Overthrow Assad’s Regime in Syria: A Turning Point in the Conflict
The ongoing conflict in Syria has taken a dramatic turn with rebel forces, led by the Islamist alliance Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), intensifying their efforts to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad’s regime. The offensive, which started on November 27, has seen major victories for the rebels, including the capture of key cities like Aleppo and Hama, cities of immense strategic and symbolic importance. As the rebels approach Homs, the situation grows even more dire, threatening to sever the capital, Damascus, from the Mediterranean coast, a crucial stronghold for Assad's regime.
Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, the leader of HTS, reiterated the rebels' core objective: the removal of Assad from power. In a recent interview, Jolani made it clear that the revolution’s ultimate goal is to end the Assad regime, and his forces are willing to use all available means to achieve this. HTS, while rooted in the Syrian branch of Al-Qaeda, has attempted to present itself in a more moderate light in recent years, gaining increasing prominence in Syria’s complex battlefield.
The rebel forces are also exploiting the timing of the offensive, which coincides with a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, a group that has been a staunch ally of Assad, supported by Russia and Iran. The ceasefire has allowed the rebels to press their advantage, pushing further into government-controlled territories.
As the conflict deepens, fear has gripped the Alawite community, to which Assad belongs. Thousands of Alawite families have fled from Homs, a city that was once at the heart of the anti-Assad protests and later became a site of brutal government siege. For many, the recent rebel advances have rekindled hopes of liberation from the regime's oppression, but for others, particularly the Alawites, these developments signal a terrifying shift in the balance of power.
The international community, including the United Nations, has expressed concern over the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Syria. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that over 800 people, including civilians, have been killed since the offensive began. Additionally, more than 280,000 people have been displaced, with the potential for that number to escalate into the millions if the fighting continues to intensify.
The capture of Hama has already been seen as a massive blow to Assad’s government, and the fall of Homs could signify the collapse of the regime’s hold on the country. However, analysts warn that even if Assad loses key cities, it might not signal the end of his rule entirely. The loss of Homs would severely undermine the government’s credibility, leaving it without secure access between the capital and the coast.
For Syrians who have been displaced and living in exile, the events on the ground hold deep emotional significance. Many former activists, like Yazan, now living as refugees, express a sense of hope, regardless of the Islamist nature of the rebel forces. In contrast, the Alawite community is grappling with profound fear, unsure of what the future holds as the conflict continues to escalate.
Despite the significant territorial losses, the Syrian government has vowed to fight on, with the army launching counterstrikes against the rebel forces in Hama province. The situation remains fluid, and the coming weeks could determine the future trajectory of the Syrian conflict, which has now been raging for over a decade.
The loss of these key cities underscores the fragility of Assad’s regime, with the future of Syria hanging in the balance as both sides prepare for what could be a decisive battle. The outcome will depend not only on military success but also on the evolving international diplomacy surrounding the conflict, especially with key players like Russia, Iran, and Turkey involved in the region’s geopolitics.
Refrence From: www.ndtv.com