Islamist-led rebels stormed Damascus, toppling Assad’s regime and sparking nationwide celebrations as Syrians taste freedom for the first time in decades.
At a Glance
- Islamist-led rebels entered Damascus, ending Assad’s rule and prompting widespread celebrations
- Assad reportedly fled the country, with Russia confirming his resignation
- Rebel factions declared Damascus free, announcing the end of Baath party rule
- The Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group led the offensive against Assad’s regime
- Statues of Hafez al-Assad were toppled across the country, symbolizing the end of the family’s 50-year rule
Fall of Damascus: Assad’s Reign Crumbles
In a stunning turn of events, Islamist-led rebels have entered Damascus, effectively ending the Assad family’s 50-year grip on Syria.
This is huge.
The capital city, long considered an impenetrable fortress of the regime, fell swiftly to opposition forces led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group. As news of the government’s collapse spread, Syrians took to the streets in celebration, marking the end of one of the world’s most notorious dictatorships.
President Bashar al-Assad, who inherited power from his father Hafez al-Assad, has reportedly fled the country.
The Russian foreign ministry, in a surprising statement, confirmed Assad’s departure, saying, “As a result of negotiations between B. Assad and a number of participants in the armed conflict on the territory of the Syrian Arab Republic, he decided to resign from the presidency and left the country, giving instructions for a peaceful transfer of power. Russia did not participate in these negotiations.”
Jubilation and Chaos in the Streets
As rebel forces secured key positions in Damascus, scenes of jubilation erupted across the city. Syrians, long oppressed under Assad’s iron-fisted rule, poured into the streets, firing guns into the air and chanting slogans of freedom. The celebrations quickly spread to other cities, with similar scenes reported in Aleppo, Homs, and other areas formerly under government control.
“I can’t believe I’m living this moment,” said Amer Batha, a Damascus resident. “We’ve been waiting a long time for this day.”
In a symbolic act of defiance, crowds toppled statues of Hafez al-Assad, the former president and father of Bashar, across the country. These images, reminiscent of the fall of other dictatorships, underscored the seismic shift in Syria’s political landscape.
Rebels Consolidate Power
The HTS group, which led the offensive against Assad’s regime, has moved quickly to consolidate power in Damascus. Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, the group’s leader, arrived in the capital to oversee the transition. Rebel factions have declared Damascus free and announced the end of Baath party rule, which has dominated Syrian politics for decades.
In a significant move, HTS fighters broke into the notorious Sednaya prison, a symbol of Assad’s tyranny, freeing political prisoners. This act, along with similar prison breaks in other cities, has been hailed as a powerful gesture of the new era dawning in Syria.
“Long Live a Free Syria,” chanted a group of rebels, capturing the mood of optimism sweeping through the country.
The sudden collapse of Assad’s government has sent shockwaves through the international community. U.S. President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump have both commented on the situation, urging caution and stability in the transition period. Biden, however, has promised military support from the United States while President-elect Trump says it’s none of our business.
The question now is whether the United States becomes embroiled in another foreign war just weeks before Trump takes office again.
