LIn a dramatic and historic turn of events, Syrian rebels seized the capital city of Damascus unopposed on Sunday, effectively ending President Bashar al-Assad’s 13-year rule and dismantling the Assad family’s six-decade-long grip on power.
The rapid advance by the rebel coalition forced Assad to flee to Russia, which has reportedly granted him and his family asylum, according to Russian state media.
The fall of Assad’s government marks a major geopolitical shift in the Middle East, weakening the influence of key allies Iran and Russia while transferring control of Syria to a rebel coalition partially backed by Turkey.
For the Syrian population, the regime’s collapse offers the potential for peace following a civil war that claimed hundreds of thousands of lives, destroyed cities, and displaced millions across the region and the globe.
Rebel leader Abu al-Golani addressed a jubilant crowd at Damascus’s historic Umayyad Mosque, declaring a “new dawn” for the nation.
“How many people were displaced across the world? How many people lived in tents? How many drowned in the seas?” al-Golani asked, referencing the plight of Syrian refugees over the years. He called on citizens to rebuild their war-torn nation and pledged to transform Syria into “a beacon for the Islamic nation.”
The Assad regime’s notorious police state disintegrated overnight. Political prisoners were freed from jails, flooding the streets in celebration, while residents entered the presidential palace unhindered, some even leaving with furniture as a symbolic end to the former regime’s reign.
The loss of Syria is a significant blow to both Iran and Russia. Iran’s ability to supply weapons to its regional allies will now face challenges, while Russia’s naval presence in the Mediterranean is likely to diminish.
United States President Joe Biden welcomed the ouster of Assad but noted that the situation represents both an opportunity and a moment of uncertainty.
“This marks the beginning of a new chapter for Syria,” Biden said.
“We hope this transition brings peace and stability to a country that has endured so much suffering. However, we remain vigilant and committed to supporting a peaceful, democratic future for Syria.”
