Syria: Assad regime collapses after 24 years as rebels seize Damascus

In a dramatic turn of events, Syrian rebel forces captured Damascus on Sunday, declaring the nation “free” after a series of swift victories across major cities in recent weeks. The fall of Damascus signals the de facto collapse of the Assad regime, which had held on to power for 14 years through a brutal civil war.

The rebels’ unopposed entry into the capital underscores the regime’s downfall, marking a historic shift in Syria and the wider Middle East. This upheaval adds to the region’s instability in the short term while carrying profound long-term implications for Syria and its allies: Russia, Iran, and Hezbollah. These allies were instrumental in propping up President Bashar al-Assad following the 2011 uprising.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry announced on Sunday that Assad had left Syria. Shortly thereafter, a plane was seen departing a Russian base in the country. According to Moscow, Assad resigned and instructed his prime minister to facilitate a peaceful transition of power.

Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali, the Assad regime’s prime minister, remained in Damascus and issued a statement affirming his commitment to overseeing the transition. “I will not leave Syria,” he said, urging all citizens, including the opposition, to avoid harming state institutions or individuals.

Meanwhile, Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, leader of the Islamist rebel group HTS, echoed this sentiment. He called on rebel forces to refrain from interfering with government institutions, emphasizing that they would remain under the prime minister’s supervision until the transition was completed.

Calls for Stability

Hadi al-Bahra, head of the Syrian National Coalition, underscored the opposition’s goals, saying their priority is not revenge but “restoring security and stability to the country.”

On the ground, the rebels made symbolic moves to consolidate control. They seized Sednaya prison in Damascus’s suburbs, liberating hundreds of prisoners. Videos circulating on social media showed Syrian soldiers abandoning their posts, changing into civilian clothing to blend in with the population.

In a euphoric scene, thousands of people gathered in Damascus’s central square to celebrate the fall of the Assad regime. Footage broadcast by Al Jazeera and other networks captured jubilant crowds cheering and waving flags. Rebel forces also took control of Damascus International Airport, further cementing their hold on the capital.

Reactions from global powers came swiftly. Russia’s embassy in Cairo condemned the developments, claiming Damascus had fallen to “terrorists” supported by the United States. Conversely, a French government spokesperson hailed it as a “historic day for Syria and the Syrian people.”

In Washington, White House spokesperson Sean Savett said President Biden was closely monitoring the situation and maintaining constant communication with regional allies.

President-elect Donald Trump reacted on Truth Social, declaring, “Assad is gone. He has fled his country.” Trump criticized Russia and Iran, suggesting they were unable or unwilling to protect Assad amid their respective challenges. He added, “There should be an immediate ceasefire and negotiations should begin… This is Vladimir Putin’s time to act. The world is waiting!”

End of an Era

The collapse of the Assad regime marks the conclusion of 53 years of rule by the Assad family, which began in 1970 when Hafez al-Assad seized power in a military coup. Bashar al-Assad took over in 2000, but his legacy will be defined by the harsh crackdown on the 2011 uprising and the subsequent civil war that left Syria devastated.

The fall of Assad also ends the decades-long dominance of the Ba’ath Party and the Alawite minority, both central to the regime’s power structure.

Adding to the intrigue, an Ilyushin-76 aircraft, suspected to be carrying Assad, departed Damascus shortly before rebel forces entered the city. Flight tracking data indicated the plane headed northwest before descending near Homs and disappearing from radar.

As Syria’s new chapter begins, the international community watches closely, grappling with the implications of this seismic shift in the Middle East. For Syrians, the focus now turns to rebuilding their fractured nation and achieving the stability they have long sought.