Rebels Overthrow Syria’s Brutal Government

Damascus, Syria —(Map)

After 13 years of civil war, rebel forces have taken control of Syria. Syria’s brutal leader, President Bashar al-Assad has left the country and is now in Russia. While many people are glad to see Mr. al-Assad go, there are questions about who will take over and how Syria will be run in the future.

For over 50 years, Syria has been harshly ruled by the Assad family. Bashar al-Assad, shown above in 2023, came to power when his father died in 2000. Mr. al-Assad was a brutal leader. Most people who disagreed with him were killed or put in prison. Mr. al-Assad has left the country and is now in Russia.

In 2011, people in Syria started to protest against Mr. al-Assad. They wanted to end his harsh rule. Mr. al-Assad responded by sending in the army. This started a long and brutal civil war.

Hundreds of thousands of people were killed during the civil war, many of them civilians. Roughly 12 million people were forced from their homes. Mr. al-Assad was accused of attacking civilians with chemical weapons,  which is against international law.

But Mr. al-Assad was able to stay in power, mainly because of help from Russia and Iran. The two countries have sent weapons and soldiers to help al-Assad’s government. Russia has also bombed rebel forces.

Recently, with Russia focused on its war in Ukraine, and with Iran involved in a complicated struggle with Israel, Mr. al-Assad’s allies have been unable to help him. Rebel groups saw this as a chance to attack.

There’s not just one rebel group opposed to Mr. al-Assad’s government in Syria. There are many different groups. Most have different goals, beliefs and histories. Many are considered terrorist groups. But recently, some rebel groups have been working together.

On November 30, rebels quickly took control of Syria’s largest city, Aleppo. Soon after that, they took the city of Hama, and then Homs. In a little over a week, they were surrounding the capital city of Damascus.

On Sunday, the rebels took control of Damascus, and Mr. al-Assad was forced to leave. The rebels quickly began to free prisoners who had been held by the government. Some videos showed rebels and civilians going through Mr. Assad’s palace and taking away his things.

The leader of the rebel forces is Abu Mohammad al-Jolani (also known as Ahmed al-Shara). He’s in charge of an Islamic group called Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). In the past, Mr. al-Jolani has worked with terrorist groups like al-Qaeda and ISIS. But he claims he has cut ties with those groups.

Mr. al-Jolani says that he wants Syria’s government to be chosen by its people. He has promised to treat all groups fairly, whether they are Muslim or not. But many people question how open and fair HTS will be once it is in charge of the country.

The leader of the rebel forces is Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, shown above speaking on December 8 after taking control of the country. He’s in charge of an Islamic group called Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. In the past, Mr. al-Jolani has worked with terrorist groups like al-Qaeda and ISIS. But he claims he has cut ties with those groups.

The end of Mr. al-Assad’s government has made some nearby countries, like Israel and Turkey, very happy. The change has left Russia and Iran much weaker.

The fall of Mr. al-Assad is a big change for Syria. But the country is still very divided, and it will be a huge challenge to bring the country’s different groups together to create a new government. Any new government will also have intense pressures coming from outside countries like Israel, Turkey, Russia, Iran, and the United States.

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Did You Know…?
For safety reasons, nearly 6 million people have left Syria for other countries. Now many of these refugees are headed back.