Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Local sources to Al Mayadeen: More than 10 violent explosions rocked region in Latakia Countryside, reasons still unknown.
Local sources to Al Mayadeen: Explosions targeted Agriculture Battalion, known as the Drone Battalion, near al-Sinn River.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Loud explosions in foreign regiment facilities operated by Syrian Defense Ministry in Latakia countryside.
Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan: Coup plot by senior cleric foiled
Iranian MP Alireza Salimi: The Shura Council has approved a resolution to suspend Iran’s cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Political aide to the governor of Gilan Province in northern Iran: Air defenses in Rasht shot down a small hostile drone flying over the city
Israeli media: The presence of General Qaani at the “victory celebrations” in Tehran puts an end to the rumors and earlier reports claiming he had been assassinated
Israeli media: There is division within the US administration itself over the extent of what the strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities actually achieved
Israeli media: US intelligence also says Iran’s centrifuges remained largely intact
Israeli media: Netanyahu and Trump celebrated too soon, as US intelligence says Iran’s uranium stockpile was not damaged

US prepared Syrian armed group to oust al-Assad: The Telegraph

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: The Telegraph
  • 19 Dec 2024 03:14
3 Min Read

The US instructed and bolstered armed groups in southern Syria, weeks prior to the offensive that toppled al-Assad's regime.

Listen
  • x
  • US prepared Syrian armed group to oust al-Assad: The Telegraph
    A Syrian militant fires his weapon to disperse looters from a residential complex of former military officers at the village of Husseiniyeh, in the outskirts of Damascus, Syria, on December 15, 2024. (AP)

The United States backed and prepared an armed group to join the offensive that ousted President Bashar al-Assad and forced a regime change in Syria, The Telegraph reported. 

Revolutionary Commando Army (RCA) fighters, trained by Britain and the US, were told "this is your moment" during a briefing by US Special Forces stationed in the country before al-Assad was overthrown on December 8. 

The RCA is an armed group established by defected Syrian Arab Army (SAA) troops and is headquartered in the al-Tanf area, near the Syria-Jordan-Iraq border area, in southern Syria. US forces are also stationed in the al-Tanf area, where they claim to be fighting ISIS and terrorism in the region. The group has now filled a major void vacated by the former regime forces, taking over one-fifth of the country's territory and pockets north of the capital. 

Read more: The autonomous administration's manifesto for a 'New Syria'

Expanding, preparing to fill the void

Related News

'Israel' in direct, daily contact with new Syrian gov.: Israeli media

UN, regional governments condemn Damascus church bombing

The Telegraph reported that the remarks of RCA fighters indicate that Washington had prior knowledge of the offensive, which was mainly led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). The RCA was told to increase its forces and prepare for an attack that could "end" the Syrian regime. 

"They did not tell us how it would happen," Captain Bashar al-Mashadani, an RCA commander, told The Telegraph from a Syrian air base in the city of Palmyra. 

"We were just told: 'Everything is about to change. This is your moment. Either Assad will fall, or you will fall.' But they did not say when or where, they just told us to be ready," the commander added. 

According to the British newspaper, the RCA remains on the US's payroll, as Washington claims to require their assistance to prevent the resurgence of ISIS. Mashadani said that in the weeks preceding the offensive, the RCA's ranks were expanded by smaller "freelance" units, all of which were briefed at the US al-Tanf air base. 

Palmyra (Tadmour), known for its ancient ruins, was among the main objectives of the US-backed operation, according to The Telegraph. Fighters who captured the Russian-controlled air base in Palmyra were reportedly told to prepare to take such action in early November. 

The commander also said that Americans coordinated communication between RCA and HTS during the offensive. The HTS and its leader, Abu Mohammad al-Joulani are terror-listed by the US. 

It is worth noting that the offensive initially targeted northern Syrian cities on November 27, 2024. 

Read more: All factions in Syria to be dissolved, no mandatory draft: al-Sharaa

  • Syria
  • United States
  • Al-Tanf
  • Damascus
  • RCA
  • Palmyra
  • HTS

Most Read

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian attends a protest following the US attacks on nuclear sites in Iran, in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, June 22, 2025. (AP)

Iran declares victory as ceasefire forces Israeli retreat

  • Politics
  • 24 Jun 2025
Israeli workers survey the site where a missile launched from Iran struck in Haifa on Sunday, June 22, 2025. (AP)

True Promise 3, wave 20: 40 missiles launched, Kheibar-Shekan in first

  • Politics
  • 22 Jun 2025
Rescue team work at the site where a missile launched from Iran struck Tel Aviv, Israel, Monday, June 16, 2025 (AP)

Wave 12 of Operation True Promise 3 launched, Sejjil deployed: IRGC

  • Politics
  • 18 Jun 2025
Iran launches strikes on Israeli targets, despite alleged ceasefire

Iran victorious as ceasefire with 'Israel' takes effect

  • Politics
  • 24 Jun 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
'Israel's' medical supply ban to Gaza threatens newborns' lives
Health

Gaza's newborns at risk as 'Israel' blocks baby formula, supplies

Tehran
MENA

Thousands rally in Tehran in support of Iranian Armed Forces

FT
Palestine

UK’s Co-op halts sales of Israeli carrots over rights violations

Israeli security forces inspect the site struck by an Iranian missile strike that killed several people, in Beer al-Sabe', Occupied Palestine, on Tuesday, June 24, 2025 (AP)
Politics

In numbers: Iran's True Promise 3 devastates 'Israel' in 12 days

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS