Colani defended himself regarding the widely discussed photo.

The leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), Ebu Muhammed al-Julani, who led the opposition groups that ended the 61-year Baath regime, suddenly became the focus of the world's attention. Following Assad's escape to Russia, every step taken by Julani was closely monitored, and he was recently photographed with a woman. Moments before the photo, Julani was seen telling the woman to "cover her head," leading to rumors that Sharia law would be implemented in Syria.

"THIS IS MY FREEDOM"

While Julani maintained his position in the spotlight with his actions regarding the woman's head covering, he spoke about those moments for the first time. After becoming the center of reactions, Julani stated in an interview with the BBC, "I did not force her. However, I prefer my photos to be taken in a way that suits me. This is my freedom," emphasizing that the incident was a personal choice.

WHAT HAPPENED IN SYRIA?

On November 27, clashes intensified between regime-opposing armed groups and Bashar Assad's forces in Syria. Between November 30 and December 7, the regime-opposing armed groups gained dominance in major cities such as Aleppo, Idlib, Hama, and Homs.

As groups began to enter the capital Damascus on December 7, with support from the masses, the regime completely lost control in Damascus and many other regions, collapsing on December 8. With the end of the Baath Party's 61-year rule, regime leader Assad fled to Russia on December 8, which had decided to provide asylum for him and his family.

Meanwhile, the Syrian National Army also liberated the center of the Tel Rifaat district from the terrorist organization PKK/YPG on the first day of the Operation Dawn of Freedom launched in December. With the liberation of the Manbij district, the area, which had turned into the largest terrorist stronghold west of the Euphrates River, was cleared of PKK/YPG.

After the fall of the Baath regime, a temporary administration was established in Syria, and Mohammed al-Bashir was appointed as the prime minister of the temporary administration until March 2025. Turkey's embassy in Damascus also resumed operations on December 14. Following the regime's collapse, many Western countries sent delegations to Damascus.