Syrian Islamists Planned Uprising Against Assad for a Year
Syrian Rebel group Claims Coordinated Offensive Against Assad Regime
damascus, Syria – A Syrian rebel commander has revealed details of a meticulously planned offensive aimed at toppling president Bashar al-AssadS regime, claiming the operation was a coordinated effort involving multiple rebel groups.
Abu Hassan al Hamvi, former military chief of the Islamist militia Hajat Tahrir al Sham (HTS), told The Guardian that the group had been strategizing the offensive for a year.The operation, which unfolded over several days last year, was launched after HTS recognized a critical weakness in the regime’s defenses.
“The biggest problem was the lack of unified leadership and control over the fight,” Al Hamvi explained.
to address this, HTS sought to unite opposition forces and jihadist militias in southern Syria, forming a united front against Assad.
“A coalition of commanders from 25 anti-government groups led the fight against Assad from the south, while HTS and its allies attacked the capital Damascus from the north,” Al Hamvi said.The rebels saw an prospect for a decisive strike in late November, capitalizing on the preoccupation of Assad’s key allies, Iran and russia, with other conflicts.Russia was engaged in the war in Ukraine, while iran and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah were stretched thin by their ongoing struggle against Israel.
“To conquer Damascus,Aleppo had to fall first,” Al Hamvi asserted.
In addition to strategic coordination, HTS also focused on developing advanced weaponry to counter the government’s military might.
“we need reconnaissance drones, attack drones, and kamikaze drones,” Al Hamvi revealed. “A special unit of engineers, scientists, and mechanics is working on this.”
HTS,a splinter group from the Syrian branch of Al Qaeda,the Nusra Front,claims to have severed ties with the notorious terrorist association since 2016. Its leader, Mohammed al Golani, has presented himself as a moderate figure since the fall of Assad. However, HTS remains designated as a terrorist organization by several Western countries, including the United States.
Did a Coordinated Rebel Offensive Almost topple Assad?
NewsDirectory3.com exclusive Interview
Damascus, Syria - A year on from a dramatic escalation in fighting in Syria, a former top Syrian rebel commander has shed light on a meticulously planned offensive aimed at toppling President Bashar al-Assad’s regime.
Abu Hassan al Hamvi, former military chief of the Islamist militia Hayat tahrir al Sham (HTS), told NewsDirectory3.com that the offensive was a coordinated effort involving multiple rebel groups.
“The biggest problem was the lack of unified leadership and control over the fight,” Al Hamvi explained.
To address this, HTS sought to unite opposition forces and jihadist militias in southern Syria, forming a united front against Assad.
“A coalition of commanders from 25 anti-government groups led the fight against assad from the south, while HTS and its allies attacked the capital Damascus from the north,” he revealed.
The rebels saw an prospect for a decisive strike in late November 2022, capitalizing on the preoccupation of assad’s key allies, Iran and Russia, with other conflicts. Russia was deeply engaged in the war in Ukraine, while Iran and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah were stretched thin by their ongoing struggle against Israel.
“To conquer Damascus,Aleppo had to fall first,” Al Hamvi asserted,outlining the rebels’ strategy.
Along with strategic coordination, HTS also focused on developing advanced weaponry to counter the government’s military might.
“we need reconnaissance drones, attack drones, and kamikaze drones,” Al Hamvi revealed. He confirmed the existence of a special unit of HTS engineers, scientists, and mechanics working on this new weaponry.
HTS, a splinter group from the Syrian branch of Al Qaeda, the Nusra Front, claims to have severed ties with the notorious terrorist association since 2016. Its leader,Mohammed al Golani,has presented himself as a moderate figure as the fall of Assad. Though, HTS remains designated as a terrorist organization by several Western countries, including the United States.