14 days that changed Syria: A timeline of how Assad’s government fell

Nov. 27: After more than 14 years of the Syrian civil war, which came to a stalemate around 2020, armed opposition groups launch a large-scale attack on areas controlled by government forces in northwestern Syria. They are led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an al-Qaeda offshoot that later moved away from the militant group. Opposition forces take de facto control of almost all of the Aleppo and Idlib governorates.

The attack came after weeks of low-level violence, including government attacks on opposition-held areas. Turkey, a major backer of opposition groups, says the rebels initially began a limited offensive against the attacks, but it expanded as government forces began to retreat.

Nov. 29: Rebels enter Aleppo, Syria’s largest city, for the first time since they were pushed out in 2016 amid the civil war. At the time, Syrian government forces had the backing of Russia and Iran. This time, they are met with little resistance.

Nov. 30: Rebels say they control Aleppo, raising a flag over the city’s citadel and occupying the international airport while the Syrian armed forces claim to have redeployed troops.

Dec. 1: The Syrian military launches a counterattack with troops and airstrikes on Idlib and Aleppo. Despite Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi visiting the capital Damascus and assuring support, the Syrian government receives little help from foreign allies. Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, another major ally, has also been engaged in a conflict with Israel in recent months.

Dec. 2 to Dec. 4: Insurgents push south, reaching within 10 kilometers of the city of Hama, even as Russian airstrikes help the government recapture some territory.

Dec. 5: Rebels sweep into Hama and are seen celebrating in Assi Square, a site of massive anti-government protests in the early days of the uprising in 2011.

Dec. 6: Further advancing, rebels seize towns on the outskirts of Homs, Syria’s third-largest city and the gateway to Damascus. Its capture would also mean the government would be cut off from the coast, which is a stronghold of President Bashar al-Assad’s minority Alawite sect.

Dec. 7: Homs falls amid reports of Assad fleeing the country, in what rebels describe as the final stage of the battle.

Dec. 8: Syrian state television airs a video statement by a group of men saying that Assad has been overthrown and all prisoners have been set free. HTS commander Abu Mohammed al-Golani visits the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus and calls Assad’s fall “a victory for the Islamic nation.” Russian state news agencies later report Assad and his family are in Moscow and granted asylum.

(With AP inputs)