A military leader of the Syrian revolution factions revealed to the Guardian newspaper in an interview published Friday that the factions had been planning for a year to overthrow the deposed president. Bashar al-Assad Whose reign ended when revolutionaries entered the capital, Damascus, at dawn last Sunday.
Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham leader Abu Hassan al-Hamwi told the newspaper that after weakening the group during a military operation carried out by regime forces in 2019, the military faction surrendered realizes that “the main problem was the absence of unified command”. and control in battle.
To correct these mistakes, Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham last year began preparing to overthrow Assad in an operation called “Deterrence of Aggression,” according to the newspaper.
According to the report, the group has strengthened its control in northwest Syria, trained its special forces and developed a “comprehensive military doctrine.”
Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham then attempted to unite opposition fighters in southern Syria, which had been under Assad’s control for six years, to create a “unified war room”, according to the Guardian.
The “War Room” brought together leaders of 25 opposition factions that could lead the attack on Assad from the south with advances Management of joint military operations From the north, to gather in the capital, Damascus, Assad’s stronghold.
The launch of the operation came at the end of last November, with the dispersion of Iranian and Russian forces, allies of the Bashar al-Assad regime, due to other conflicts.
At dawn last Sunday, rebel factions managed to enter Damascus after seizing the northern and central cities of Aleppo, Hama and Homs, prompting Assad to flee the country and end to 5 decades of dictatorial and violent regime practiced by his family.
Al-Hamwi said: “We had a belief supported by historical precedent: Damascus could not fall before Aleppo fell. »
He added: “The Syrian revolutionary forces were concentrated in the north and we thought that once Aleppo was liberated, we could move south towards Damascus. »
The plan also called for developing better weapons to counter advanced weapons supplied by Tehran and Moscow to the Assad regime’s forces.
Al-Hamwi said: “We needed drones for reconnaissance and others for strike and attack, with an emphasis on range and endurance. Drone production began in early 2019.”
Al-Hamwi referred to Shaheen’s explosive or “suicide” drone, which is notable for its precision and power.
According to the Guardian, the Shaheen aircraft was first used against Assad’s forces this month, neutralizing his artillery vehicles.
The Department of Military Operations, headed by Ahmed Al-Sharaa (Al-Julani), has sought to reassure religious minorities and other governments since coming to power early last week.
Al-Hamawi added: “We affirm that minorities in Syria are part of the nation and have the right to practice their rituals, teachings and services like any other Syrian citizen. »
He continued: “The regime has sowed divisions, and we are trying as much as possible to bridge these divisions. »