Dramatic Moment Islamist Insurgents Topple Statue of President Bashar Al-Assad’s Brother in Syria
The dramatic moment Islamist insurgents in Syria toppled a statue of President Bashar Al-Assad’s brother after they stormed Aleppo, marking a major setback for the government. The surprise rebel offensive has put the 13-year-long Syrian war back into the spotlight.
The insurgents, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a group linked to Al-Qaeda, advanced in southern Aleppo, seizing control of strategic towns and the city’s international airport. The group also took control of parts of Hama and Idlib provinces, with minimal resistance from government forces.
The Syrian army, in response, redeployed its forces and is preparing for a counterattack. The Russian military, a key ally of the Syrian government, has launched air strikes on parts of Aleppo, the first since 2016.
The rebels’ campaign is seen as a response to stepped-up strikes by Russian and Syrian air forces on civilian areas in Idlib province and to pre-empt potential attacks by the Syrian army. The group has been supported by Turkey, which has influence over the broad alliance of opposition forces storming Aleppo.
The conflict in Syria has killed an estimated half-million people, with some 6.8 million Syrians fleeing the country, a refugee flow that helped fuel anti-immigrant far-right movements in Europe.
Charles Lister, a longtime Syria analyst with the U.S.-based Middle East Institute, says the fighting "has the potential to be really quite, quite consequential and potentially game-changing" if Syrian government forces are unable to hold their ground.
Who was Bassel Al-Assad?
Bassel al-Assad was the first-born son of former Syrian President Hafez al-Assad and the older brother of current President Bashar. He was expected to succeed his father as Syrian leader but died in a 1994 car crash in Damascus. Due to his sudden death, his lesser-known brother Bashar, who was training as an ophthalmologist in London, assumed the mantle of president-in-waiting and later became president in 2000 following the death of his father.
Who are the rebels seizing control of Aleppo?
The rebel group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, was set up in 2011 under a different name, Jabhat al-Nusra, as a direct affiliate of Al-Qaeda. In 2016, it broke its link with the jihadist groups and became HTS. The group is one of the deadliest organizations fighting against President Assad and is considered a major threat to his regime.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- What is the current situation in Syria?
The situation in Syria is highly volatile, with the rebel offensive in Aleppo marking a significant escalation in the conflict. - Who is leading the rebel offensive in Aleppo?
The rebel group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, is leading the offensive, which is supported by Turkey and other opposition forces. - What is the response of the Syrian government?
The Syrian government has redeployed its forces and is preparing for a counterattack, while Russia has launched air strikes on parts of Aleppo. - What is the international response to the conflict?
The conflict in Syria has drawn international attention, with many countries, including the United States, Russia, and Turkey, involved in the conflict in various ways.
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