Headline Roundup • December 8th, 2024
Syrian Rebels Seize Control of Damascus, President Assad Flees to Moscow
Summary from the AllSides News Team
Rebel forces in Syria have toppled President Bashar al-Assad’s government in an 11-day offensive where they encountered little resistance en route to the capital Damascus. Assad has reportedly fled the country.
The Details: The Military Operations Command coalition, led by the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), began an offensive against government-held positions on November 27 in Aleppo. Though Assad has previously received the military backing of Iran and Russia, the Syrian army retreated quickly without much support. According to Russia, Assad has fled to Moscow and will be granted asylum.
For Context: Syria’s civil war began in 2011 in the wake of the Arab Spring uprisings. Turkey, which houses approximately 3.6 million Syrian refugees, reportedly backed several of the rebel groups. In the past, some of the groups have also received support from the United States and United Kingdom. The United States military also has about 900 soldiers stationed in Syria. The HTS is designated as a terrorist organization by the United States, United Nations, and Turkey.
Assad’s Legacy: The Assad family had ruled Syria for over 50 years, and have often been described as dictatorial by western media and politicians. In 2015, a United Nations-sanctioned investigation concluded Assad’s government had used chemical weapons against enemies. Some western voices, like Trump’s nomination for intelligence director, Tulsi Gabbard, and journalist Seymour Hersh, have expressed skepticism over the claim.
How the Media Covered It: Western media have emphasized the surprise element and speed of the attack, highlighting that neither Russia nor Iran came to the aid of Assad. Many have highlighted the historic shift that is marked by the Assad family’s loss of power.
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