Orwa Khalifeh
@orwakhalife.bsky.social
Associate Editor at AlJumhuriya. Syria, politics, history, and chess.
At 6:18 AM, Reuters cited informed sources confirming Bashar al-Assad’s escape and the fall of the Syrian regime.
December 23, 2024 at 12:38 AM
At 6:18 AM, Reuters cited informed sources confirming Bashar al-Assad’s escape and the fall of the Syrian regime.
By 2:00 AM on Sunday, December 8, security officials were still at their desks, unaware of the agreement or Assad’s plans to flee to Russia.
December 23, 2024 at 12:38 AM
By 2:00 AM on Sunday, December 8, security officials were still at their desks, unaware of the agreement or Assad’s plans to flee to Russia.
The Operations Command Room agreed to these terms in exchange for a public power handover by Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi Al-Jallali, alongside military leadership informing officers of the regime’s collapse.
December 23, 2024 at 12:38 AM
The Operations Command Room agreed to these terms in exchange for a public power handover by Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi Al-Jallali, alongside military leadership informing officers of the regime’s collapse.
4- Prevention of retaliation and civil strife.
5- Securing chemical and strategic weapons.
6- Respecting Russian military bases.
7- Adherence to Resolution 2254 for political transition.
5- Securing chemical and strategic weapons.
6- Respecting Russian military bases.
7- Adherence to Resolution 2254 for political transition.
December 23, 2024 at 12:38 AM
4- Prevention of retaliation and civil strife.
5- Securing chemical and strategic weapons.
6- Respecting Russian military bases.
7- Adherence to Resolution 2254 for political transition.
5- Securing chemical and strategic weapons.
6- Respecting Russian military bases.
7- Adherence to Resolution 2254 for political transition.
The meeting yielded an agreement on:
1- An orderly and smooth transfer of power.
2- Protection of diplomatic institutions and their security (including religious shrines as requested by Iran).
3- Preservation of state institutions.
1- An orderly and smooth transfer of power.
2- Protection of diplomatic institutions and their security (including religious shrines as requested by Iran).
3- Preservation of state institutions.
December 23, 2024 at 12:38 AM
The meeting yielded an agreement on:
1- An orderly and smooth transfer of power.
2- Protection of diplomatic institutions and their security (including religious shrines as requested by Iran).
3- Preservation of state institutions.
1- An orderly and smooth transfer of power.
2- Protection of diplomatic institutions and their security (including religious shrines as requested by Iran).
3- Preservation of state institutions.
A meeting was called, including Arab states and the Astana trio, with Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, Jordan, and Iraq attending. Russia, however, sent a diplomatic representative instead of Lavrov, signaling its acceptance of the inevitable.
December 23, 2024 at 12:38 AM
A meeting was called, including Arab states and the Astana trio, with Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, Jordan, and Iraq attending. Russia, however, sent a diplomatic representative instead of Lavrov, signaling its acceptance of the inevitable.
Iran and Russia attempted political concessions, but the situation on the ground had already outpaced such offers. A tacit agreement was reached to avoid widespread destruction in Damascus and acknowledge the end of Bashar al-Assad’s rule.
December 23, 2024 at 12:38 AM
Iran and Russia attempted political concessions, but the situation on the ground had already outpaced such offers. A tacit agreement was reached to avoid widespread destruction in Damascus and acknowledge the end of Bashar al-Assad’s rule.
On the morning of December 5, “Deterrence of Aggression” forces breached Hama, breaking the regime’s final defensive line. This significant victory occurred just before the foreign ministers of the Astana trio (Turkey, Iran, and Russia) convened in Qatar on the sidelines of the Doha Forum.
December 23, 2024 at 12:38 AM
On the morning of December 5, “Deterrence of Aggression” forces breached Hama, breaking the regime’s final defensive line. This significant victory occurred just before the foreign ministers of the Astana trio (Turkey, Iran, and Russia) convened in Qatar on the sidelines of the Doha Forum.
The Operations Command Room also activated a dedicated institution assisting regime army officers in defecting. Hundreds of defections involving mid- and low-ranking officers were orchestrated since the campaign began.
December 23, 2024 at 12:38 AM
The Operations Command Room also activated a dedicated institution assisting regime army officers in defecting. Hundreds of defections involving mid- and low-ranking officers were orchestrated since the campaign began.
Before and especially after Hama’s liberation, regime forces experienced widespread defections and withdrawals, particularly among newly conscripted soldiers.
December 23, 2024 at 12:38 AM
Before and especially after Hama’s liberation, regime forces experienced widespread defections and withdrawals, particularly among newly conscripted soldiers.
New recruits lacked training, combat readiness, and any motivation to risk their lives for Bashar al-Assad.
December 23, 2024 at 12:38 AM
New recruits lacked training, combat readiness, and any motivation to risk their lives for Bashar al-Assad.
ecordings revealed that a significant portion of “Deterrence of Aggression” forces comprised young fighters aged 18-20, equipped with decent military gear. In contrast, regime forces were severely exhausted, having discharged many seasoned fighters over the past two years.
December 23, 2024 at 12:38 AM
ecordings revealed that a significant portion of “Deterrence of Aggression” forces comprised young fighters aged 18-20, equipped with decent military gear. In contrast, regime forces were severely exhausted, having discharged many seasoned fighters over the past two years.
The Operations Command Room recognized this strategic shift immediately, as the path to Damascus grew significantly closer.
December 23, 2024 at 12:38 AM
The Operations Command Room recognized this strategic shift immediately, as the path to Damascus grew significantly closer.
Analysts emphasized that the battle for Hama would be decisive in shaping the regime's future. After the city’s liberation, central Syria became accessible to “Deterrence of Aggression” forces.
December 23, 2024 at 12:38 AM
Analysts emphasized that the battle for Hama would be decisive in shaping the regime's future. After the city’s liberation, central Syria became accessible to “Deterrence of Aggression” forces.
The Operations Command Room intensified efforts to break the regime’s defenses in Hama, aiming for a symbolic victory by liberating a city infamous for the 1982 massacres committed by Hafez al-Assad, Bashar’s father.
December 23, 2024 at 12:38 AM
The Operations Command Room intensified efforts to break the regime’s defenses in Hama, aiming for a symbolic victory by liberating a city infamous for the 1982 massacres committed by Hafez al-Assad, Bashar’s father.
With a lack of coordination, limited reinforcements, and the absence of Iraqi militias (the only remaining Iranian-backed forces in the region), sustaining the defense of Hama became nearly impossible for the regime.
December 23, 2024 at 12:38 AM
With a lack of coordination, limited reinforcements, and the absence of Iraqi militias (the only remaining Iranian-backed forces in the region), sustaining the defense of Hama became nearly impossible for the regime.
From their defensive positions on Mount Zain al-Abidin north of Hama, Taramih forces initially repelled “Deterrence of Aggression” forces. While unable to breach the northern defenses, opposition forces advanced east and west of the city, prompting repeated attempts to break through.
December 23, 2024 at 12:38 AM
From their defensive positions on Mount Zain al-Abidin north of Hama, Taramih forces initially repelled “Deterrence of Aggression” forces. While unable to breach the northern defenses, opposition forces advanced east and west of the city, prompting repeated attempts to break through.
Additionally, the regime's focus on drug trafficking, extortion at checkpoints, and internal rivalries further undermined the coordination necessary for effective military operations.
December 23, 2024 at 12:38 AM
Additionally, the regime's focus on drug trafficking, extortion at checkpoints, and internal rivalries further undermined the coordination necessary for effective military operations.
The absence of Iranian and Iraqi militias in southern Aleppo and Hezbollah’s withdrawal from eastern Idlib severely weakened the regime's defensive lines near opposition fronts.
December 23, 2024 at 12:38 AM
The absence of Iranian and Iraqi militias in southern Aleppo and Hezbollah’s withdrawal from eastern Idlib severely weakened the regime's defensive lines near opposition fronts.
The Taramih units, known for their pivotal victories under Russian support, officially became a formal force in 2019. Before that, they operated as an informal militia backed by Air Force Intelligence, Suhail al-Hassan’s original affiliation.
December 23, 2024 at 12:38 AM
The Taramih units, known for their pivotal victories under Russian support, officially became a formal force in 2019. Before that, they operated as an informal militia backed by Air Force Intelligence, Suhail al-Hassan’s original affiliation.
Suhail al-Hassan, commander of the 25th Special Missions Division until his dismissal in April 2024, relied heavily on the elite “Taramih” units. These units, originating from Qamhana village north of Hama (The majority of its population is Sunni Muslims).
December 23, 2024 at 12:38 AM
Suhail al-Hassan, commander of the 25th Special Missions Division until his dismissal in April 2024, relied heavily on the elite “Taramih” units. These units, originating from Qamhana village north of Hama (The majority of its population is Sunni Muslims).
However, the true test for regime forces emerged on the Hama front, where reports indicated that the regime began regrouping its forces, deploying Brigadier General Suhail al-Hassan to lead the defense.
December 23, 2024 at 12:38 AM
However, the true test for regime forces emerged on the Hama front, where reports indicated that the regime began regrouping its forces, deploying Brigadier General Suhail al-Hassan to lead the defense.
Advancing from southern Idlib toward northern Hama became a logical and low-cost next step for the Operations Command.
December 23, 2024 at 12:38 AM
Advancing from southern Idlib toward northern Hama became a logical and low-cost next step for the Operations Command.
The rapid collapse of regime forces in Aleppo fueled momentum for advancing battles on the Saraqib front in eastern Idlib. Saraqib, the most fortified and challenging target, had been softened by the prior withdrawal of Hezbollah forces, leading to a decisive victory.
December 23, 2024 at 12:38 AM
The rapid collapse of regime forces in Aleppo fueled momentum for advancing battles on the Saraqib front in eastern Idlib. Saraqib, the most fortified and challenging target, had been softened by the prior withdrawal of Hezbollah forces, leading to a decisive victory.
The forces encountered minimal resistance, as the city was effectively free, with the regime's forces fully collapsed. Only isolated resistance remained, such as at the Artillery School.
December 23, 2024 at 12:38 AM
The forces encountered minimal resistance, as the city was effectively free, with the regime's forces fully collapsed. Only isolated resistance remained, such as at the Artillery School.