Hayat Tahrir al-Sham-led rebel forces, having recently captured Aleppo and Hama, are within 20 kilometers of Damascus, according to rebel commander Hassan Abdel Ghani. This advance follows significant rebel gains against the Assad regime, backed by Iran and Russia. The rebels, under the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham alliance, have also reportedly secured control of Daraa province. These rapid advances represent a major shift in the Syrian conflict.
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Despite rebel forces reaching Damascus’ outskirts for the first time since 2018, the Syrian government vehemently denies President Assad’s departure from the capital, attributing such reports to misinformation campaigns. While the rebels, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, have seized multiple key cities including Aleppo and Hama, and advanced on Damascus, Assad’s wife and other family members reportedly fled the country. The rapid rebel advance, coupled with the reported lack of significant Russian intervention, presents the most serious threat to Assad’s rule in years.
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Anti-regime forces in Syria captured a sophisticated Russian Podlet-K1 radar system, a significant intelligence coup potentially impacting the region. The system, part of a three-vehicle unit, is a modern air defense radar used in Ukraine and capable of detecting low-altitude targets. Its capture by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) rebels, likely near Hama, raises concerns about Western access to sensitive Russian military technology. This follows a pattern of substantial equipment losses by Syrian and potentially Russian forces during the ongoing rebel offensive.
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A Turkish-backed coalition of Islamist militant groups, including Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, launched a significant offensive in Syria’s Aleppo governate on November 27th. Reports suggest Ukrainian special forces may have provided training to these rebels, focusing on tactics used in the Ukraine war, although this remains unverified. The offensive, fueled by Russia’s troop deployment to Ukraine, has resulted in rebel gains, including the capture of numerous villages and military equipment. The swift rebel advance, coupled with attacks by the SDF, has reportedly surprised Syrian and Russian forces, leading to a tactical withdrawal and civilian casualties.
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Gunfire and explosions erupted in Damascus on Saturday night amidst reports of a coup attempt led by Brigadier General Hassam Louka against President Bashar al-Assad, who was reportedly out of the country. Simultaneously, rebel groups, including Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, seized control of Aleppo and were advancing south, capturing numerous towns and cities in Hama province. The situation is further complicated by conflicting reports regarding Assad’s location, with some sources claiming he is in Moscow. These events represent a significant escalation in the ongoing Syrian conflict.
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Following a surprise incursion by Syrian rebels, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, into government-held areas of Aleppo province, fighting has reached the city itself. The rapid rebel advance, attributed to insufficient Iranian-backed forces, marks the largest offensive since a 2020 de-escalation agreement. While Turkey denies supporting the attack, opposition sources suggest otherwise. The conflict has resulted in civilian casualties, prompting international concern and condemnation from the U.N. and Russia.
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Rebel groups, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, launched a large-scale offensive in Aleppo, Syria, targeting Russian and Syrian forces in at least ten areas. This attack, dubbed “Deterring Aggression,” follows increased Syrian and Russian airstrikes on Idlib and aims to counter a Syrian army buildup. Rebel advances have reached approximately 10 kilometers from Aleppo, including near Al-Nayrab airport and Shiite towns with Hezbollah presence. This marks the rebels’ first territorial gain since a 2020 ceasefire, and reports—unconfirmed by Newsweek—suggest Russian special forces casualties.
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John Q. Hosedrinker