9-12-2024 (DAMASCUS) Syrian rebel forces seized control of Damascus on Sunday, effectively ending the Assad family’s half-century rule over Syria and forcing President Bashar al-Assad to flee the capital.
Thousands of jubilant Syrians flooded the streets of Damascus, congregating at central squares whilst chanting “Freedom” as rebel forces reported entering the capital without encountering military resistance. Witnesses described scenes of people entering the Al-Rawda Presidential Palace, with some carrying away furniture from the premises.
The dramatic collapse of the regime marks the culmination of more than 13 years of civil conflict and represents a significant setback for Assad’s primary backers, Russia and Iran. The Russian Foreign Ministry confirmed Assad’s departure from the country, stating he had ordered a peaceful transfer of power before leaving.
In a parallel development, Lebanon’s Hezbollah, a crucial Assad ally, withdrew all its forces from Syria on Saturday as rebel factions approached Damascus, according to Lebanese security sources. The group’s withdrawal followed the deaths of several of its leaders in Israeli strikes over the past two months.
Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali has called for free elections, though analysts suggest the path forward remains complex in a nation with multiple competing interests. The Prime Minister disclosed ongoing discussions with rebel commander Abu Mohammed al-Golani regarding the management of the transition period.
The United States has affirmed its commitment to maintaining its presence in eastern Syria, with Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Daniel Shapiro emphasising the importance of preventing any resurgence of Islamic State influence in the region.
Regional powers are watching developments closely. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan warned against terrorist organisations exploiting the situation, whilst UAE diplomatic advisor Anwar Gargash expressed concerns about extremism and terrorism in the wake of Assad’s fall.
The Syrian rebel coalition has pledged to work towards establishing a transitional governing body with full executive powers. “The great Syrian revolution has moved from the stage of struggle to overthrow the Assad regime to the struggle to build a Syria together that befits the sacrifices of its people,” the coalition stated.
The whereabouts of Assad, his wife Asma, and their children remain unknown. This development marks a decisive turning point for Syria, a nation devastated by years of conflict that has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives and created millions of refugees.
