Rebel forces are a group of individuals and organizations who oppose an established government through armed conflict. They may be seeking to replace it, impose an alternative government, or achieve independence. They may also be attempting to coexist peacefully with an existing government, as is the case in stable breakaway states such as Andorra.
The movement of these rebel forces has been a significant development. The advance has opened up the Damascus-Aleppo road and the strategic city of Homs, allowing access to the rest of Syria’s provinces. It has also facilitated the return of many displaced civilians to their homes.
This is an important achievement for the Syrian opposition. It has been aided by diminished Iranian and Hezbollah support for Assad, and close cooperation between the various rebel groups. It is also a significant blow to the Assad regime, which has used sieges and aerial bombardment to keep civilians in check and prevent local committees from offering a viable alternative governance.
The most formidable of these rebel groups is Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), founded by military commander Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, who had fought for al Qaeda in Iraq before forming Jabhat al-Nusra in Syria. HTS split with al Qaeda in 2016 over ideological differences and an opposition to ISIS, and declared itself the “Organization for the Liberation of the Levant.” HTS is widely viewed as having military and social legitimacy. It has also developed a sophisticated intelligence operation and organizational structure.