The Main Goal of Syria’s Rebel Forces is to Overthrow Autocratic Leader Bashar al-Assad
The militant leader of the core group driving Syria’s armed opposition, Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, has stated that his main goal is to “overthrow” autocratic leader Bashar al-Assad. This comes as rebel forces move to take control of yet another major city from the regime this week.
Al-Jolani, the chief of Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS), emphasized that the goal of the revolution remains the overthrow of the regime. He believes that the regime’s defeat is inevitable, stating that “the seeds of the regime’s defeat have always been within it.” He also accused the Iranians and Russians of attempting to prop up the regime, but ultimately, the truth remains that the regime is dead.
The recent offensive launched by anti-government militias has seen rebels wrenched control of the country’s second-largest city, Aleppo, and the strategic city of Hama. Additionally, streams of civilians have been seen fleeing Homs, ahead of potential hostilities between regime forces and rebel forces.
While the rebel fighters share a goal of crunching Assad’s dynastic grip on power, al-Jolani’s roots in al Qaeda have cast a shadow over his ambitions. Human rights advocates have also raised concerns over HTS’ recent treatment of political dissidents in Idlib, in northwestern Syria. The United States designated HTS a Foreign Terrorist Organization in 2018 and placed a $10 million bounty on Jolani.