The fall of the Syrian government has underscored the precarious future of the Mediterranean country amidst the ongoing chaos. Armed groups, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) which controlled much of northwest Syria for years, launched a surprise offensive on November 27. They seized some major cities and towns, including Aleppo, Hama and Homs and entered the capital Damascus early Sunday.
Armed men appearing on Syria’s state TV announced the overthrow of President Bashar Assad. The president is believed to have left the country for an undisclosed location.
HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Jolani said on Sunday that state institutions will be supervised by Prime Minister Mohammed Ghazi Jalali until they are handed over.
