14 Days That Changed Syria: A Timeline of How Assad’s Government Was Overthrown | News explained

November 27th: After more than 14 years of the Syrian civil war that came to a standstill around 2020, armed opposition groups are launching a large-scale attack on areas controlled by government forces in northwestern Syria. They are led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an al-Qaeda affiliate that later broke away from the militant group. Opposition forces effectively take control of almost all Aleppo and Idlib provinces.

The attack came after weeks of low-level violence, including government attacks on opposition-held areas. Turkey, a key backer of opposition groups, says rebels initially launched a limited offensive against the attacks but expanded it as government troops began to withdraw.

November 29th: Rebels are entering Aleppo, Syria’s largest city, for the first time since being driven out in 2016 amid the civil war. At that time, Syrian government troops had the support of Russia and Iran. This time they encountered little resistance.

November 30th: Rebels say they control Aleppo, flying a flag over the city’s citadel and seizing the international airport, while Syrian forces claim they have moved troops.

Dec 1st: The Syrian military launches a counterattack with troops and air strikes on Idlib and Aleppo. Although Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi visits the capital Damascus and pledges support, the Syrian government is receiving little help from foreign allies. The Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, another key ally, has also been embroiled in conflict with Israel in recent months.

December 2nd to 4th: The insurgents are pushing south, coming within 10 kilometers of the city of Hama, while Russian airstrikes are helping the government retake some areas.

Dec 5: Rebels enter Hama and celebrate in Assi Square, where massive anti-government protests took place in the early days of the uprising in 2011.

Dec 6: As rebels continue to advance, they capture towns on the outskirts of Homs, Syria’s third-largest city and the gateway to Damascus. Its capture would also mean the government would be cut off from the coast, which is a stronghold of President Bashar al-Assad’s Alawite minority.

Dec 7: Homs falls amid reports of Assad’s flight from the country, in what rebels say is the final phase of the battle.

Dec 8: Syrian state television broadcasts a video statement from a group of men saying Assad has been overthrown and all prisoners have been released. HTS commander Abu Mohammed al-Golani visits the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus and calls Assad’s ouster “a victory for the Islamic nation.” Russian state news agencies later reported that Assad and his family were in Moscow and had received asylum.

(With AP inputs)