---

In recent days, Syria has witnessed dramatic shifts as armed groups made swift advancements, overthrowing the Syrian regime’s control over major cities, including Aleppo and Hama, before reaching Damascus, leading to the complete collapse of President Bashar al-Assad’s regime, according to The Washington Post.

• Hama Countryside: Massive Syrian Army Reinforcements and “Mass Fleeing” of Militants

• Latest Developments on the Syrian Scene

Rapid Developments

The newspaper reports that these developments came after years of military stalemate, facilitated by an organized offensive led by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an Islamist armed faction that seized most of the M5 highway, Syria’s most critical economic and strategic artery.

November 30: The Fall of Aleppo

On November 29, opposition forces breached the western defensive lines of Aleppo, Syria’s second-largest city, for the first time since 2016.

The armed groups swiftly swept through the city center, showcasing their strength in the streets as government forces fled.

• Aleppo Clashes: Syrian Army “Cleanses” Several Areas and Prepares for a Counterattack

• Meager Salaries and Stark Discrimination: Why Are Syrians Defecting from Iranian Militias?

Videos showed fighters celebrating at Aleppo International Airport and the city’s historic citadel. By the next day, the opposition had seized several strategic sites, including military academies, prompting the regime to launch limited airstrikes with Russian support.
However, no significant strikes have been reported in Aleppo since December 2, signaling a decline in the regime’s military response capabilities.

December 5: The Fall of Hama

Following the fall of Aleppo, armed groups moved south toward Hama.
Over five days, they captured numerous surrounding towns and abandoned military sites with minimal resistance from government forces.

• War Cuts “Bridges” Between Lebanon and Syria: Second Crossing Out of Service

• UN Fears the Gaza and Lebanon Wars Spreading to Syria

On December 5, Hama fell entirely to the insurgents, dealing a severe blow to the regime, especially with the release of hundreds of prisoners from notorious prisons.
Videos captured emotional scenes of families reuniting with their loved ones, some imprisoned since the bloody events of Hama in 1982.

December 7: The Fall of Daraa

In the south, rebel factions took control of Daraa, the birthplace of the Syrian revolution in 2011.
The rebels displayed their strength in the city’s streets, demolishing statues and portraits of Bashar al-Assad.

• Iran attempts to move thousands of militants to border areas between Syria and Lebanon… Why?

• Iranian Proxies Focus on Targeting U.S. Bases in Syria

Analysts believe this advance was achieved through cooperation between local groups, including tribal leaders and former rebel commanders, who exploited the regime’s preoccupation with northern fronts.

In a swift response, Jordanian authorities closed the Jaber-Nassib border crossing following reports of clashes on the Syrian side.

Homs: The Decisive Battle

By Saturday morning, opposition forces had fully captured Homs, a key economic and strategic hub due to its location between Damascus and the Syrian coast.
The Syrian army withdrew from the T4 airbase, the largest military base in eastern Homs, allowing the insurgents to press further.

• The Opening of the Abou al-Zindin Crossing Between Turkey and Syria Depends on Conflicting Interests

• Life Sentence for Turk Who Killed Syrian in Notorious Hate Crime

With the fall of Homs, Damascus was cut off from the coast, dividing regime-controlled areas into two and hastening the capital’s collapse.

Damascus: The Final Destination

By Sunday morning, opposition forces had taken control of Damascus from the north and south, achieving successive victories in the suburbs.

In the suburb of Jaramana, less than 10 kilometers from the presidential palace, videos showed insurgents toppling statues of former President Hafez al-Assad.

• Turkey Strengthens Military Presence at Contact Points with Syrian Regime Forces

• Is Hezbollah Planning to Return to Syria and Why?