Syrian Rebels Announce Fall of Bashar al-Assad and Liberation of Damascus
On December 8, Syrian rebels led by radical Islamists declared the fall of President Bashar al-Assad and the liberation of the capital, Damascus, following a rapid offensive that ended nearly 50 years of Assad family rule. Experts suggest this upheaval reflects the regime’s inability to control its military and highlights the loss of support from allies Iran and Russia. The leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, Abou Mohammad al-Jolani, is now focused on a power transition while distancing his group from affiliations with Al-Qaeda and ISIS.