In December 2024, the decades-old Assad regime in Syria fell following 13 years of brutal civil war.

The Islamist rebel group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, seized power in the capital Damascus, having co-ordinated a lightning offensive along with other opposition forces across the country.

This week on The Inquiry, we examine how recent events led to the current situation, who the main players are vying for control, and the many challenges facing both the new government and the Syrian people.

Presenter: Tanya Beckett Producer: Ben Cooper Researcher: Evie Yabsley Production Co-ordinator: Liam Morrey Technical producer: Toby James Editor: Tara McDermott

Contributors:

Tim Eaton, Middle East and North Africa Programme at Chatham House

Dr Rahaf Aldoughli, Middle East and North African Studies at Lancaster University

David Schenker, Director of the Arab politics programme at the Washington

Natasha Hall, Middle East programme at the Center for Strategic and International Studies

Image Credit: ABDULAZIZ KETAZ via Getty Images