Syria Rebels Pledge to End Sectarianism and Tyranny

Syrian rebel commander Hassan Abdel Ghani reassured religious minorities on Saturday after Islamist-led forces captured significant territory, including key cities, from the Syrian government. His message, conveyed through Telegram, came as the group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) continued its swift offensive against President Bashar al-Assad’s forces. Abdel Ghani, a senior commander in the rebel alliance, emphasized that the era of sectarianism and oppression had ended, calling for reassurance among various religious groups, including those living in recently captured areas such as Aleppo and Hama, which are home to Christian and Ismaili communities.

In response to the rebel gains, the Syrian military reported redeployments in the south, including the loss of Daraa, a symbolically significant city. While the Syrian army focused on defending Homs, a key location near Damascus, rebel forces continued to advance, even as local groups took control of Daraa. The government’s retreat has been particularly pronounced in the east, where Kurdish-led forces gained control of Deir Ezzor, further weakening Assad’s hold.

HTS, with its roots in al-Qaeda, is dedicated to ousting Assad, and its leader, Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, voiced that the ultimate goal is to overthrow the regime. Despite its terrorist designation by Western countries, HTS has tried to rebrand itself, urging calm and emphasizing the importance of protecting all communities. Jolani also pointed to Aleppo’s cultural history, vowing that it would remain a place of unity for diverse groups.

Meanwhile, regional and international powers are closely monitoring the situation. The U.S. has called for a political solution to protect civilians, while Qatar voiced concern over the speed of the rebel advance and the lack of political engagement from Assad’s government. The ongoing conflict has resulted in significant casualties, with the UN reporting 370,000 displaced people since the escalation began