Damascus, Syria: Syria’s rebel forces, led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group (HTS) announced the end of President Bashar al-Assad’s 24-year rule after capturing Damascus in a swift offensive that swept across the country.
In a televised statement, fighters proclaimed the capital “free of al-Assad” revealing that Assad had fled, though his whereabouts remain unknown.
Fighters also released the prisoners held in Sednaya Prison north of Damascus, as they have done in other cities they took during their advance.
The opposition’s advance began on November 27, resulting in the capture of major cities like Aleppo and Hama. Videos shared online showed fighters entering the presidential palace and dismantling symbols of the Assad regime, including a statue of the late Hafez al-Assad in Aleppo.
The rebel group had previously claimed to have taken control of the key city of Homs, en route to the capital. However, the Syrian defense ministry denied this, stating that the situation in Homs remained “safe and stable.”
Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali, in a video statement, extended an olive branch to the opposition, calling for a peaceful transfer of power to a transitional government. Meanwhile, opposition leaders urged fighters to avoid acts of revenge and protect public institutions.
Former Syrian PM Mohammad Ghazi Al-Jalali leaving his home to hand over power pic.twitter.com/bKFCyYUFL0
— Mossad Commentary (@MOSSADil) December 8, 2024
The Hezbollah, which backed the Assad regime for years, has asked its forces to withdraw. Hezbollah recently ordered its fighters to pull back from the Homs region, with some moving to Latakia in Syria and others heading to the Hermel area in Lebanon.
13 Years of ‘War’
Today marked a pivotal day for the rebels, who have been engaged in a civil war for 13 years. The Assad family had held power in Syria for 54 years. Bashar al-Assad’s father, Hafez al-Assad, came to power in 1970 through a coup. He remained in power until his death in 2000. Weeks after his father’s death, Bashar al-Assad was chosen as the leader. He remained in the position until he left the country by plane early on Sunday morning.
Assad is known for his brutal rule over Syria, which, since 2011, has been devastated by a civil war that ravaged the country, turned it into a breeding ground for the extremist group ISIS, and sparked an international proxy war and refugee crisis, displacing millions from their homes.
Celebrations of ‘freedom’
Celebrations erupted across Damascus, with chants of “Freedom!” filling the air. Similar scenes of jubilation were reported in Latakia and near the Lebanon-Syria border, where refugees expressed hope of returning home after years of separation.
The fall of Assad, signals the end of an era in the Middle East, raising questions about the nation’s future amid the challenges of rebuilding and reconciliation. The dramatic changes could lead to a dangerous power vacuum and eventually result in chaos and even more violence.