Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, leader of the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group (HTS), revealed the goal of the forces’ offensive in Syria is to “overthrow” the regime of President Bashar al-Assad using “all available means.” In an exclusive interview with CNN published on Friday, the leader asserted that despite Iran and Russia’s efforts to prop up the regime, it is “dead.” Al-Jolani called for a shift in Syria’s governance “based on institutions, not one where a single ruler makes arbitrary decisions.” He also expressed a strong desire for the departure of foreign forces, including those from the United States, Turkey, Russia, and Iran, as well as its proxy groups. The rebel group has made significant advances, seizing control of key cities such as Aleppo and Hama. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the forces are now just 5 kilometers from Homs after capturing the towns of Rastan and Talbisseh, a strategic move that would “cut off the main road leading to the Syrian coast.”
Erdogan hopes rebels gain ground in Syria
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday that “the march of the opposition continues” as rebel groups keep advancing across Syria. “We hope this march in Syria will continue without any issues,” Erdogan added as the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group said it intends to overthrow Syrian President Bashar al-Assad using “all available means.” Erdogan said he extended an invitation to Assad to “determine the future of Syria together” but that he did not receive a positive response. Assad’s regime has been forced to surrender the major cities of Aleppo and Hama to the rebels following a surprise offensive that started in late November.
Syrian rebels seize major army base in Daraa province
The Southern Operations Room, a newly formed group representing rebels in southern Syria, revealed on Friday that it took control over a major government military base in Daraa province. “Our destination is Damascus, and our meeting point is the public square of Umayyads,” the rebels said in a statement shared with CNN, calling on government forces to abandon “Assad regime’s criminal gang” and stand with rebels. The rebel group also claimed to have seized some government posts along the Jordanian-Syrian border. “Our forces are now securing the border strip following the surrender of the regime forces stationed there,” it added. Previously, Jordanian Foreign Minister Mazen al-Faraya said the country closed its only border crossing with Syria.