Key rebel groups reshape Syria's future after Assad's fall

Recent advances by opposition rebel groups have changed the dynamics of Syria's civil war, leading to the fall of President Bashar Assad. This shift marks a significant change after years of conflict characterized by a stalemate. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an Islamist militant group, played a key role in the offensive that led to Assad's downfall. HTS, which has a complex history and is designated a terrorist organization by several countries, has established control in northwestern Syria. The Syrian National Army (SNA) and Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) are also influential. The SNA is a coalition of various factions with ties to Turkey, while the SDF, primarily Kurdish, has received U.S. support. Both groups are navigating their own agendas amid the shifting power landscape.