Rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham advances to Damascus as Assad reportedly flees

The Syrian civil war has seen a significant shift as the rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) has advanced to Damascus, leading to the reported flight of President Bashar al-Assad. This marks a dramatic change after years of stalemate since 2020. HTS, led by Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, was originally formed as al-Qaeda's branch in Syria in 2011. It evolved through various mergers and rebranding, becoming HTS in 2017, focusing on local operations and gaining support from various groups. Jolani, 42, has been pivotal in HTS's recent successes, leveraging alliances with tribes and minority groups. He has expressed a desire to liberate Syria from Assad's regime, while also facing questions about the acceptance of his conservative governance across the country.