In just 11 days, President Bashar al-Assad's 24-year rule came to an end.
- As of November 26, Syrian opposition forces were mostly confined to their stronghold in the northwestern province of Idlib, following a ceasefire brokered in March 2020 by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Four main groups were competing for control, including:
1. Syrian government forces: The army fought alongside the National Defense Forces, a pro-government paramilitary group, and was supported by Hezbollah, Iran, and Russia.
2. Syrian Democratic Forces: This Kurdish-dominated group backed by the United States controls parts of eastern Syria.
3. HTS and other allied rebel groups: Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the largest fighting force, had been in control of Idlib for years before this attack.
4. Turkish and Turkish-backed Syrian rebel forces: The Syrian National Army is a rebel force supported by Turkey in northern Syria.
- Day 27 November: On Wednesday 27 November, just one day after the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon came into effect, Syrian opposition forces, led by HTS, launched an attack from their base in Idlib province in northwestern Syria. The rebel group said their attacks were in retaliation for recent Syrian government attacks on towns in Idlib, including Ariha and Sarmada, which have resulted in numerous civilian casualties in recent weeks.
By evening, the group had captured at least 19 towns and villages from pro-government forces, including military sites, as they pushed towards the western governorate of Aleppo. The Syrian regime responded by shelling rebel-held areas, while the Russian air force carried out airstrikes.
- Day 28 November: By Thursday, the rebels had captured more territory and driven government forces from villages in eastern Idlib and then began pushing towards the M5 highway, a strategic road leading south to the capital, Damascus, some 300 kilometres (186 miles) away.
- Day 29 November: By Friday, rebel forces had entered parts of Aleppo city after detonating two car bombs and clashing with government forces on the western edge of the city, according to a Syrian war monitor and fighters. Syrian state television reported that Russia was providing air support to the Syrian army.
By Saturday, images and videos began circulating online showing rebel fighters taking photos next to the ancient Acropolis of Aleppo as they advanced into the city.
Syrian opposition fighters enter Aleppo. Opposition fighters pose for photos next to the ancient Citadel of Aleppo on November 30, 2024 [Omar Albam/AP Photo]
After capturing Aleppo, the rebels advanced south towards Hama.
- Day 1 December: By Sunday, Syrian and Russian aircraft had intensified their airstrikes on the city of Idlib and positions in Aleppo as government forces sought to slow the advance of opposition fighters. In his first public comments since the offensive began, President al-Assad said his forces would continue to defend the "stability and territorial integrity of the government against terrorists and their supporters."
- Day 2 December: Heavy fighting continued on the outskirts of Hama as Syrian opposition fighters advanced on the strategic central city – Syria's fourth largest.
As the site of the most brutal politically motivated massacre in recent Syrian history, the city also held symbolic significance.
- Day 3 December: The Syrian government said its counter-offensive had pushed back opposition fighters trying to advance on Hama. In contrast, opposition forces said they had captured more Syrian troops and Iranian-backed fighters in fierce fighting. Syrian opposition fighters take pictures on the outskirts of Hama, Syria. Syrian opposition fighters take pictures outside Hama on 3 December 2024
- Day 4 December: Opposition fighters continued to push further south as they captured more towns in Hama province.
A regime airstrike killed Syrian photographer Anas Alkharboutli, who was working for the German news agency dpa, near the city of Hama. Alkharboutli, 32, had long documented Syria's 13-year war.
- Day 5 December: By Thursday, rebels announced they were in full control of Hama. The capture of the city brought them one step closer to cutting off the coastal cities of Tartus and Latakia from the rest of the country. Latakia is a key political stronghold for al-Assad and Syria's Alawite community, as well as a strategic naval base for Russia.
- Day December 6: The capture of Hama opened the way to Homs, the third largest city in Syria.
Homs, a key crossroads city connecting Damascus to Syria's coastal regions, is located about 46 kilometers (29 miles) south of Hama.
Al Jazeera's Omar al-Hajj said Syrian government forces carried out several airstrikes on the main road in an attempt to stop the opposition advance.
- Day 7 December: On Saturday, southern forces began to move in and opposition fighters based in Deraa said they had seized control of the city, the fourth strategic loss for President Bashar al-Assad's forces in a week. Deraa, which lies just a few kilometres from the border with neighbouring Jordan, is known as the cradle of the 2011 revolution.
- Day 8 December The rebels reached within kilometers of the capital, Damascus. By evening, they had reached its suburbs and at dawn on 8 December, fighters captured the capital.
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