Insurgent forces surged through significant cities throughout Syria in under two weeks, leading to the apparent collapse of Bashar al Assad’s regime.
After initially pledging to resist, the nation’s autocratic leader, who held power for 24 years, has reportedly evacuated the capital city of Damascus.
With crucial allies such as Russia and Iran preoccupied, government defenses disintegrated under the strain of insurgent assaults.
In a short span, it seems the Assad family’s dominance has concluded following 13 years of civil strife that has devastated the nation.
Here’s how the events transpired.
26 November – Aleppo Assault
The insurgent offensive commenced last Tuesday, targeting the northern city of Aleppo, controlled by the government since 2016.
30 November – Fall of Aleppo
The Syrian military declared a retreat from the city, asserting they were gearing up for a counter-strike.
This counteraction failed, allowing insurgents to maintain control of Aleppo from that moment forward.
1 December – Regime Retaliation
Syrian and Russian aerial forces initiated bombing runs on insurgent positions and their supply routes, with Mr. Assad pledging to obliterate them through military might.
2 December – Aleppo Bombardment
Rebels in front of the Aleppo citadel after seizing control of large parts of the city. Pic: AP
The aforementioned air forces targeted insurgent positions in Aleppo’s eastern countryside the following day, as stated by the prime minister’s office.
Battle also erupted in the city of Hama, and “hostile” drones were identified over the significant city of Homs, according to state media.
3 December – Deir el Zor Assault
Key locations in Syria, as well as the Iraqi town of Al Qaim, where troops sought refuge
Attention then shifted to the eastern province of Deir el Zor, as insurgents advanced towards Hama, asserting they had captured villages surrounding the city.
5 December – Hama Secured
The insurgents announced they had taken Hama province, claiming they liberated detainees from the central facility there.
6 December – Daraa Recaptured
In a noteworthy recapture, insurgents proclaimed they regained control of Daraa, a city that was once viewed as a banner of the uprising in the conflict’s early stages.
They also disclosed that they had reached the outskirts of the crucial western city of Homs, urging government-aligned forces to switch allegiances.
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7 December – Insurgents Advance
The offensive escalated on Saturday, advancing through the southern cities of Quneitra and Sanamayn.
Insurgents also claimed full control of Homs before breaching through Damascus, where demonstrators toppled a statue of the president’s deceased father.
8 December – Regime on the Edge
Mr. Assad’s lengthy and oppressive governance seemed to reach a conclusion, with insurgents declaring that Damascus is “free from Assad”.
