The Assad family’s decades-long rule in Syria came to a dramatic end on Sunday, as rebel forces surged through Damascus in a lightning offensive that swept across the country in days.
Bashar al-Assad Rule as Syria’s Dictator Is Over
Hassan Abdul-Ghani, a senior leader of the militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), declared victory in a WhatsApp message after the rebels stormed Damascus overnight.
“We proclaim Damascus free from the tyrant Bashar al-Assad,” he announced. “To all Syrians around the world: Free Syria welcomes you home.”
Celebrations erupted in Damascus and beyond as Syrians gathered in the streets, honking horns, waving flags, and firing guns into the air. Social media footage verified by NBC News captured jubilant crowds at iconic locations like Umayyad Square, where people took selfies atop tanks and toppled statues of Hafez al-Assad, Bashar’s father, in former regime strongholds like Latakia.
Bashar al-Assad has fled Syria and relinquished his presidency, a move confirmed by Russia, his longtime ally in the brutal civil war. A statement from Russia’s Foreign Affairs Ministry revealed that Assad negotiated his departure to ensure a peaceful transition of power. Russian media later reported that Assad sought asylum in Moscow, a claim corroborated by U.S. officials.
World leaders quickly reacted to Fall of Assad’s Regime
Prime Minister Ghazi al-Jalali, however, stated his intent to remain in Syria, emphasizing his commitment to the continued functioning of public institutions and expressing readiness to cooperate with any government chosen by the Syrian people.
The HTS rebels also claimed to have liberated prisoners held in Sednaya Prison, infamous for housing thousands of detainees during Assad’s reign. In a triumphant message, the group announced, “The era of oppression in Sednaya is over.”
International reactions poured in swiftly. President Joe Biden celebrated the fall of Assad’s regime, calling it a “historic opportunity” for Syrians to rebuild their nation. While Biden emphasized U.S. support for a peaceful transition, former President Donald Trump urged America to steer clear of Syria’s affairs, stating on his platform Truth Social, “This is not our fight.”
Israel’s Defense Forces bolstered their presence near the Golan Heights, citing the need to protect Israeli citizens but clarified they would not intervene in Syria’s internal conflict.
The stunning offensive by HTS saw the rapid capture of major Syrian cities, including Homs, Aleppo, and Daraa, marking a significant shift in the country’s power dynamics. Experts noted that HTS’s growing capabilities, including the use of advanced weaponry, overwhelmed Assad’s forces and their allies, Russia, Iran, and Hezbollah.
HTS, an offshoot of the former Al-Qaeda affiliate Jabhat al-Nusra, has been designated a terrorist organization by the U.S. and U.N. Despite its controversial origins, the group’s recent success reflects years of transformation into a formidable military force capable of challenging Assad’s regime.
This pivotal moment has ended nearly 14 years of civil war, which began with peaceful protests in 2011 and spiraled into a conflict that killed hundreds of thousands and displaced millions. As Syrians celebrate the fall of Assad, uncertainty looms over the nation’s future and its path to stability.
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