HTS rebels seize control of Damascus in major shift in Syrian conflict

The Syrian rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) has taken control of Damascus, marking a significant shift in the ongoing conflict. This follows a rapid advance from their base in Idlib, where they began their offensive against the Syrian regime. HTS, previously known as the Nusra Front, has been classified as a terrorist organization by the US and Russia. The UK is reconsidering its designation of HTS, which has emerged as the most powerful rebel group in Syria, following the withdrawal of Assad's allies. The Syrian National Army, another rebel faction, has historically alternated between cooperation and competition with HTS. Despite Assad's fall, the fragmented nature of rebel control in Syria remains unchanged, with various groups holding different territories.