**Rebel HTS Overthrows Regime and Takes Control of Capital ‘Damascus’**
The statue of former President Hafez al-Assad is destroyed following the collapse of the Syrian regime. Syria, a strategic location connecting the Middle East and the Mediterranean, has been a battleground for hegemonic powers such as Egypt, Assyria, and the Roman Empire since ancient times. Despite being incorporated into the Islamic sphere after the Crusades, it has maintained ethnic and religious diversity.
According to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) on the 12th (local time), this diversity has contributed to the ongoing turmoil in Syria even after the collapse of the Bashar al-Assad regime. The Syrian civil war, which began in 2011, is considered one of the most complex conflicts of the 21st century. This complexity is due to various religious and ethnic factions vying for control over different regions, resulting in constant shifts in alliances and fragmentation.
The rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which advanced to Damascus and toppled the Assad regime, is the largest among the rebels. Based in the northwestern Idlib region, HTS is listed as a terrorist organization by the international community, including the United States, due to its suspected links with al-Qaeda. The leader of HTS, Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, previously aimed to establish a fundamentalist Islamic state but has recently indicated support for recognizing the autonomy of various ethnic and religious groups.
HTS, although supported by Turkey for several years, is noted for its nationalist tendencies that reject foreign intervention. In contrast, the Syrian National Army (SNA), which controls parts of the northern border area, is significantly influenced by Turkey. SNA receives funding, military intelligence, and even air support including drones from Turkey, leading to clashes with HTS and other rebel factions.
Turkey’s backing of SNA is largely attributed to the Kurdish militia Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) based in the north. Turkey fears that if the SDF succeeds in establishing an independent Kurdish state in Syria, it could intensify separatist movements among Kurdish factions within Turkey. Reports suggest that hundreds have died from clashes between SNA and SDF following the Assad regime’s collapse.
Additionally, the United States operates a base with approximately 1,000 troops in the Al-Tanf region in southeastern Syria, primarily to combat the Islamic State (IS). The Free Syrian Army (FSA), based near this area and backed by the US, is known for its more moderate stance compared to HTS and has reportedly expanded its influence to the central city of Palmyra following the Assad regime’s fall. Meanwhile, another rebel group supported by Jordan is reportedly ramping up its activities in the southern border region.
The Alawite minority, which served as the political base for the Assad regime, is centered in the northwest where it borders the Mediterranean. Following the collapse of the Assad regime, the Alawites are reportedly seeking peaceful relations with rebel factions like HTS from a defensive position.