Part 5/8:
Two major rebel groups, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and the Syrian National Army (SNA), play crucial roles in these developments. Observers have noted an unexpected lack of significant conflict between these rebel factions and Kurdish forces, which have previously posed potential threats to Assad.
There are two possible scenarios for governance in the aftermath of a successful rebel offensive: a pessimistic scenario, where HTS assumes authority and establishes a brutal Islamist regime, leading to a further descent into civil strife; or an optimistic outlook, where HTS opts for a moderate approach that respects minority rights and promotes inclusive governance.