HTS rebels seize control of Damascus, toppling Assad's regime

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a Syrian Islamist militant group, has taken control of Damascus, overthrowing President Bashar al-Assad on December 8. This marks a significant shift in the Syrian conflict, as HTS has emerged as the most powerful rebel group. HTS, previously known as the Nusra Front, was founded by Abu Mohammed al-Jolani and has been classified as a terrorist organization by the US and Russia. The UK government is considering removing HTS from its terrorist list, reflecting changing dynamics in the region. The Syrian National Army, another rebel group backed by Turkey, played a role in the offensive against Assad. Despite the regime's fall, the situation remains complex, with various factions controlling different territories and ongoing tensions among them.