Syrian opposition forces have begun preparations for a “retaliatory operation” called “aggression deterrence” in 2023. Its goal was to overthrow Bashar al-Assad and bring down his 24-year regime. Abu Hassan al-Hamwi, one of the commanders of HTS (Hayat Tahrir al-Sham) and a former leader of the group, revealed this in an interview. Contributed to the military department and the British daily newspaper “The Guardian''.
The HTS group comes from al-Qaeda. It currently controls part of northwest Syria.
Syria: rebels took advantage of Iran and Russia's carelessness
– The fundamental problem is the lack of unified leadership and control over the fighting, Hamwi said. He revealed that HTS is tightening its control over rebel groups in the northwest, training its own militia and developing a “comprehensive military doctrine.”
He also said he sought to unite rebels and jihadists in southern Syria, which has been under Assad's control for six years, to create a “unified war and peace.”
The operation involved combined forces from 25 groups that could lead attacks against Assad from the south, while HTS came from the north and linked up with other groups in Damascus, the dictator's capital and stronghold.
Hamwi said late November was the ideal time to launch the operation, when Syria's allies Iran and Russia were busy with other conflicts.
“Damascus will not fall until Aleppo falls.”
Over the weekend of December 7-8, rebel forces successfully invaded Damascus, having previously captured the northern cities of Aleppo, Hama, and Homs. As a result, President Assad was forced to flee the country. “We believed, backed by historical precedent, that Damascus would not fall until Aleppo fell,” Hamwi said in an interview.
“We believed that the forces of the Syrian revolution were concentrated in the north and that after the liberation of Aleppo, we would be able to move south toward Damascus,” he said.
The militant group said its plans also included developing better weapons to counter the technology provided to government forces by Tehran and Moscow. – We needed reconnaissance, attack and suicide drones with an emphasis on range and durability, Hamwi said. According to his report, production of the unmanned aircraft was scheduled to begin in 2019.
Rebels assert: 'We are trying to bridge the divide'
One of the drones that exploded was named Shahin, which means falcon in Arabic. “This symbolizes their precision and power,” the Syrian leader said. According to the British newspaper, the drones were first used against Assad's forces in December, disabling a government artillery vehicle.
HTS has been designated a terrorist organization by several Western countries. Since taking power in Syria, he has said he would respect minority rights and introduce “integrative leadership”.
“We affirm that Syria's minorities are part of the country and have the same right to ritual, education and service activities as other Syrians,” Hamwi said in an interview. “The administration is sowing the seeds of division, but we are trying to heal these divisions as best we can,” he added.
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