‘Goal is to topple Assad regime,’ HTS says as Islamist rebels press offensive in Syria

Syrian government forces have lost control City of DaraAccording to War Monitor, it marks another setback for the president Bashar al-Assad. This follows rebel groups Gaining control of other major cities.
Daraa is known as the “Cradle of the Revolution” because of its role in the early days of Syria’s civil war. In 2011, activists accused the government of detaining and torturing boys who wrote anti-Assad graffiti on their school walls.
This Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported that while Islamist-led rebel alliances captured Aleppo and Hama, local armed groups took control of Daraa. “Local groups have seized more areas in Daraa province, including Daraa city, now controlling more than 90 percent of the province, as regime forces have gradually pulled out,” the Observatory said.
Daraa province shares a border with Jordan.
‘Holmes should not fall’
Rebels have advanced quickly and are out of the Syrian city of Homs, even as the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah sent a small number of “observation forces” from Lebanon to Syria overnight to help prevent anti-government fighters from capturing the strategic city of Homs.
“Homs should not fall,” a Hezbollah official was quoted as saying by news agency Reuters.
The government is trying to shore up its crumbling frontline to preserve and maintain Assad’s 24-year rule.
The rebel advance began with the capture of Aleppo a week ago, followed by rapid government losses across Syria. In addition to Aleppo and Hama, the rebels have also captured Deir al-Zor in the east and advanced to Suwayda and Daraa. Videos online show rebels celebrating their gains in these areas.
The Syrian army said it was carrying out airstrikes around Hama and Homs while repositioning its forces in Daraa and Suwayda.
The rapid pace of events has raised concerns about the potential for increased regional instability in Arab capitals.
Islamist rebel commander addresses minority concerns
Syrian Islamist rebel commander Hassan Abdel Ghani sought to reassure religious minorities following the capture of key areas by an Islamist-led rebel alliance. He said, “We ask all communities to take solace, as the age of sectarianism and oppression is gone forever.”
The comments come as the rebel alliance led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) continues to advance on Homs. HTS launched its offensive on November 27, capturing areas populated by various religious sects.
Also Read: Who is Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the jihadist group behind the resurgence of the Syria conflict?
Syria’s Christian community has largely supported the Assad government, seeing it as a protector of minorities. Religious minorities faced persecution when the Islamic State (IS) group took control of large parts of Syria.
Homs is of strategic importance, connecting the capital Damascus with the coastal regions of Latakia and Tartus, strongholds of Assad’s Alawite minority.
Resurrection of The Syrian Civil War
The Syrian civil war began in 2011 with a government crackdown on democratic opposition. More than 500,000 people have been killed in the conflict and more than half the population has been displaced.
Since November 27, the rebel alliance led by HTS has launched a major offensive, capturing Aleppo, Hama and other cities. “The goal of the revolution remains to overthrow this regime. It is our right to use all available means to achieve that goal,” HTS leader Abu Mohammad al-Jolani said in a recent interview with CNN.
HTS, which originated as the Syrian branch of al-Qaeda, is considered a terrorist organization by Western countries.
The rebel offensive in Syria began on the same day that a ceasefire was declared in Lebanon, ending hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah.
Hezbollah, a key ally of the Assad government, has played a key role in the Syrian conflict, along with Russia and Iran. Recent rebel advances have created uncertainty for Syria’s allies and raised fears of further regional instability.