Context:
Rebel forces have taken over the Syrian capital of Damascus, marking the end of the Assad-regime.
Brief History of the Syrian Civil War
- It started in 2011 following the Arab Spring Revolution which saw regimes in the Arab world being toppled.
- But, later on, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, whose family had run Syria since a 1970 coup, regained control with the help of Iran, Russia, and Lebanon’s Hezbollah militia.
- Assad is an Alawite, a minority sect that is an offshoot of Shiite Islam. Syria however has a Sunni majority.
- The regime had used chemical weapons, barrel bombs and starvation to force Syrians into submission.
- More than 500,000 Syrians have died and over 6 million have become refugees since 2011.
- The civil war Involved domestic opposition groups, extremist factions and international powers including the US, Iran and Russia.
- From early December 2024, rebel forces captured Aleppo, Daraa, Quneitra, Suwayda, Homs, and Damascus – the capital city.
- Assad’s forces have been considerably weakened with its key backers, Russia and Iran, stretched in other conflicts.
- The rebel fighters took control of the Saydnaya prison and released the political prisoners.
- Assad has fled and taken political asylum in Moscow.
- The Syrian Prime Minister has said that the government is ready to cooperate with the opposition and hand over the administration.
Prominent Rebel Forces
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)
- The name means ‘Organization for the Liberation of the Levant’.
- Originated from the Nusra Front, formed by anti-Assad jihadis.
- In 2016, ended ties to al-Qaida and became the HTS.
- The US and other Western countries still consider it a terrorist group.
Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF)
- A US partner made up of Kurdish fighters.
- Fought against the ISIS in Syria.
- They control an autonomous region in the northeast.
Syrian National Army (SNA)
- Formed under the ‘Syrian Interim Government’, a coalition of opposition groups.
- Loose coalition of militias backed by Turkey.
Key Places in News
Umayyad Mosque/ Great Mosque of Damascus:
- The HTS leader delivered his victory message here.
- 1,300 years old – one of the world’s most ancient mosques.
- Destroyed by Timur in 1401, rebuilt by the Arabs
Aleppo
- One of the oldest cities in the world, located in Syria’s north, between the Mediterranean Sea and Mesopotamia (Iraq).
- A node on the ancient Silk Road.
- The Citadel of Aleppo is the most prominent historic architectural site in Aleppo. It was recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO
Damascus
- Founded in the 3rd millennium B.C
- Considered to be among the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world.
- Capital of the Umayyad caliphate.
Homs
- Located in central Syria, near the Orontes River.
- The site of ancient Emesa which has a temple to the sun god El Gebal.
- A main centre for the Syrian uprising (2011-12).