Syrian rebels capture key cities in major offensive against Assad regime

Syrian rebels have made significant gains in the ongoing civil war, capturing the cities of Aleppo and Hama, and parts of southern Syria since their offensive began on November 27. This rapid advance culminated in the breach of Damascus, leading to President Bashar al-Assad fleeing the country. The rebels are primarily led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a group that evolved from a former al-Qaida affiliate. HTS has shifted its focus from establishing a caliphate to enforcing fundamentalist Islamic rule in Syria. The group has controlled much of northwest Syria since 2017. HTS gained territory by persuading local leaders to accept its governance and issuing identity cards to residents. Despite some unpopularity due to its harsh tactics, the group has strengthened its position through better training and mergers with other rebel factions, becoming the dominant force in the region.