Announcing 'Liberation' Of Damascus And Flight Of Assad, Hay'at Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS)-Linked Operations Room Declares 'Beginning Of New Age For Syria'; HTS Leader Al-Joulani: Public Institutions Remain Temporarily In Custody Of Former PM Al-Jalali

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On November 27, 2024, the Al-Fath Al-Mubin operations room, which includes Syrian jihadi group Hay'at Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) and other jihadi and anti-regime militant factions, announced a new offensive, Operation Repelling the Aggression, under the auspices of a new body, the Military Operations Command.[1]

The Military Operations Command entered the major city of Aleppo on November 29 and captured the city of Hama on December 5.[2] Syrian anti-regime militants captured the southern city of Daraa on December 6 and the cities of Quneitra and Al-Suwayda' on the following day. Meanwhile, the militants continued to advance toward the capital, Damascus.

On December 8, the Military Operations Command announced it had completely "liberated" the cities of Homs, Daraa, Quneitra, and Al-Suwayda', and "our eyes are on the capital, Damascus."[3]

Syrian Militant Operations Room Announces "Liberation" Of Damascus, Flight Of Assad

Later that day, the Military Operations Command announced that its forces had entered Damascus and freed the prisoners from the infamous Saydnaya prison, on the city's northern outskirts. Reporting that "the tyrant Bashar Al-Assad" had fled, the Military Operations Command announced that the city was now "free," declaring: "This is the moment which the displaced and prisoners have long awaited, the moment of returning to their homes and the moment of freedom after decades of subjugation and suffering." To Syrian refugees throughout the world, it further declared: "Free Syria is waiting for you."[4]

In addition, the Military Operations Command stated: "After 50 years of subjugation under the Baath rule, 13 years of criminality, tyranny, and displacement, and after a lengthy struggle and confrontation with all forms of occupation powers, today, on December 8, 2024, we announce the end of this dark period and the beginning of a new age for Syria." It added: "In the new Syria, where everyone coexists peacefully, justice reigns, and rights are established, where every Syrian is proud and his dignity preserved, we turn the page of the dark past and open a new horizon toward the future."[5]

Colonel Hasan 'Abd Al-Ghani, a spokesman of the Military Operations Command, promised safety to those in the Damascus suburb of Al-Sayyidah Zaynab – hitherto a stronghold of Iran-backed Shi'ite militias – who "chose to abandon the regime and refused to support it," laying down their weapons.[6]

'Abd Al-Ghani also announced that the Military Operations Command's forces had entered the eastern Syrian city of Deir Al-Zour and that hundreds of regime soldiers had surrendered in Deir Al-Zour.[7]

On the same day, the Military Operations Command released a brief video showing its forces inside the Mezzeh Military Airport in Damascus.[8]

HTS Leader Al-Joulani Urges Fighters To Remain Faithful To Revolutionary Principles, Protect Public Institutions

On December 8, the General Command of the Syrian militant factions published a statement by HTS leader Abu Muhammad Al-Joulani – referred to by his real name, Ahmad Al-Shar' – declaring to the Syrian people that the militants were close to achieving the revolution's goals of "glory, dignity, liberty, and justice" and determined to "complete the path which we began in 2011." Vowing to remain faithful to the principles of the revolution, he declared: "The future is ours, and we are continuing toward victory, with Allah's power."[9]

In a second statement from the same day, Al-Shar' addressed the "free rebels," urging them to thank Allah for the "victory" He has granted them, to "enter Damascus in thanks, with your heads lowered and in humility," and to be gentle and kind to the city's residents. He warned the fighters to protect public institutions, as they "belong to the great Syrian people," and urged them to "together finish painting the picture of victory for the greatest victory which modern history has known."[10]

Al-Joulani: Public Institutions In Damascus Remain Temporarily In Custody Of Assad Regime PM Al-Jalali

The Military Operations Command published a brief statement by Al-Shar', forbidding military forces in Damascus from approaching public institutions and declaring that such institutions will remain under the supervision of "former prime minister" Mohammad Ghazi Al-Jalali until their official handover to the opposition government. He also banned firing shots in the air in celebration.[11]

Operations Room Bans Firing Shots In Air, Violating Public Institutions And Private Property

On December 8, the Military Operations Command issued an order to all Syrians and militants. Declaring that they are living through "historic moments in the history of the future Syria," it called for unity to "present the best image of our revolution and nation." The order forbade shooting in the air in celebration, harming public institutions and property, and violating private property, warning that violators would be prosecuted.[12]