The offensive began on November 27, when opposition forces led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) launched an assault from their base in the Idlib governorate. Their rapid advance southwards was a part of a broader strategy to unseat Bashar al-Assad that caught government forces off-guard, leading to a dramatic shift in the power dynamics of the region as towns and cities fell into the hands of the opposition in a matter of days.
In Deraa, the birthplace of the uprising, opposition forces captured much of the region as local residents joined the fight, marking a significant moment as people united against the al-Assad regime. The intensity of the struggle in Deraa contributed to a larger wave of uprisings, reflecting both the desperation and determination of the civilians who took battlefield positions against a long-standing tyrannical regime.
Ongoing demonstrations erupted in the rural areas surrounding Damascus amid the regime's decline in morale. Protesters openly tore down Assad's posters, showcasing the public's dwindling faith in the regime. The widespread abandonment of military posts by regime soldiers illustrated the deepening unrest and a loss of control, indicating a significant turning point in the Syrian conflict.
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