According to a report by The Telegraph published on December 20, Washington had prior knowledge of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) assault on Damascus, which eventually led to the downfall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime. The United States had prepared a mercenary group to support the attack from the US-occupied zone at Al-Tanf, situated at the border intersection of Iraq, Syria, and Jordan. This coordinated effort suggests significant US involvement in the offensive that toppled the Syrian government.
Militants from the Revolutionary Commando Army (RCA), a group trained by both British and US forces, revealed that they were briefed by US Special Forces prior to the invasion, with one key statement: “This is your moment.” This message was delivered as part of their preparation for the attack to remove Assad from power. The Telegraph reported that the RCA fighters were explicitly told to bolster their forces and “be ready” for an assault that would likely mark the end of the Assad regime. The briefing, however, did not offer details on how the attack would unfold or the exact timing, only emphasizing the need to be prepared for a major shift. Captain Bashar al-Mashadani, a commander in the RCA, confirmed that they were told, “Everything is about to change. This is your moment. Either Assad will fall, or you will fall,” but they were left uncertain about the specifics.
In the weeks leading up to this briefing at the Al-Tanf air base, which lies in the US-controlled zone, the US had recruited additional mercenaries to augment the forces for the planned invasion. According to Captain Mashadani, smaller freelance units, including his own group, were absorbed into the RCA’s ranks as the group prepared for the operation. Despite being classified as part of a larger effort against ISIS, the mercenaries continued to receive payments from the US government, allowing them to maintain operations in Syria under the guise of counter-ISIS missions.
RCA fighters stationed at a base in Palmyra also revealed that they had been told in early November, nearly three weeks before the actual offensive began, to get ready for the collapse of the Syrian government. This indicates that the plan for the attack was coordinated and known well in advance by the fighters involved.
The HTS, alongside Turkish-backed militants, launched their first significant assault on the Aleppo countryside on November 27. The operation, which had been planned for some time, culminated in the capture of Damascus on December 8, with the assistance of the Free Syrian Army (FSA) groups from southern Syria, as well as RCA forces from Al-Tanf. This offensive led to the effective collapse of the Assad regime in the capital. As of now, the RCA controls roughly 20% of Syria, including strategic areas in the north of Damascus, reflecting the significant territorial gains made during the campaign.
The testimonies from the fighters indicate a clear pattern of US involvement in the planning and execution of the HTS-led offensive. Washington’s awareness of the operation, and the role it played in facilitating and coordinating the attack, underscores its active support for the campaign to oust Assad.
In a further revelation, earlier this year, the RCA appointed a former ISIS leader, Salem Turki al-Antari, as their commander. Antari, originally from the ancient city of Palmyra, joined ISIS in 2014 and was given the title of Abu Saddam al-Ansari. He played a key role in the group’s takeover of Palmyra and led battles against the Syrian army between 2015 and 2017. His involvement in the destruction of Palmyra, one of Syria’s most important cultural sites, highlights the extremist nature of the group, even as it continues to receive support and backing from external powers like the US.
These developments suggest that the situation in Syria remains deeply complex, with multiple international actors involved in shaping the conflict’s trajectory, and raises questions about the extent of foreign influence in the downfall of Assad.
