At dawn on November 27, 2024, the Battle of Deterring Aggression began, marking the start of a historic offensive that would culminate in the fall of the criminal Assad regime after 12 days of intense fighting.
This victory marked the dawn of a new era that the Syrian people had long dreamed of since the launch of their revolution in March 2011. In pursuit of this vision, they offered nearly a million martyrs, killed in bombings or tortured in detention centers, and millions more were displaced or turned into refugees.
The battle erupted suddenly while the Assad regime intensified its airstrikes on the liberated north, in an international climate that seemed to support its rehabilitation. However, the preparation for this offensive had been in the works for years.
Five Years of Preparation
President Ahmad al-Sharaa, commander of the Liberation Battle, confirmed that the planning for the offensive had taken five years to execute. During this period, various factions were unified and integrated into a coordinated effort. Despite the regime’s knowledge of the preparations and its mobilization of resources, al-Sharaa proceeded with the battle, rejecting warnings of repeating the Gaza-like destruction in Idleb. His decision to move forward was guided by the motto, “A victory without vengeance.”
The Liberation of Aleppo
On November 28, the Military Operations Command announced the full liberation of Aleppo, the economic capital of Syria. This moment was pivotal. Aleppo’s liberation, just one day into the offensive, sent a powerful message: the Deterring Aggression forces would protect all civilians, regardless of their background, and ensure the safety and security of their homes and livelihoods.
Rapid Advances: Hama, Homs, and Damascus
The forces rapidly advanced, liberating Hama by the evening of December 5. They continued southward, fully liberating Homs by December 8. That evening, the capital, Damascus, was secured. Having lost control of the country, the regime fled, with Bashar al-Assad and his senior leaders taking refuge in Moscow. Syrians across the nation flooded the streets, celebrating their newfound freedom and marking the beginning of a new chapter in their history.
International Recognition and Support
The fall of the Assad regime was met with widespread international recognition. Arab countries, the European Union, the United States, and the broader international community congratulated the Syrian people on their victory. Diplomatic delegations began arriving in Damascus, signaling the end of Syria’s diplomatic isolation.
A New Era: Rebuilding Syria
With the Assad regime’s 54-year rule brought to an end, Syria entered a new phase, one focused on state-building, restoring institutions, and ensuring stability. The leadership, from the very first moments of liberation, began laying the groundwork for a national army, restructuring public institutions, and fostering social cohesion to heal the divisions left behind by the oppressive regime.
The Syrians understood that while the battle for liberation had been won, the battle for reconstruction and the creation of a new, free Syria was just beginning.
