On Sunday, Syrian rebels made a bold announcement on state television, declaring that they had ousted President Bashar al-Assad, marking the end of a 50-year family dynasty that has ruled Syria with an iron fist. This dramatic turn of events raises the specter of further instability in the Middle East, which is already reeling from ongoing conflicts.
According to a Syrian officer who spoke with Reuters, the country’s military command informed officers that Assad’s regime had come to an end. Rebels celebrated their victory as they entered Damascus, claiming they had done so without facing any resistance from the Syrian army. Witnesses reported thousands of people in the streets waving banners and chanting “Freedom,” signaling their joy at the end of Assad’s oppressive rule.
As tensions soared, rebel groups also announced the release of prisoners from Sednaya prison, a notorious military detention center near Damascus where thousands had been held by Assad’s government. The fall of Damascus, once a stronghold of the regime, marked a key victory for the opposition.
The swift collapse of Assad’s regime sent shockwaves throughout the Middle East. With Russia and Iran, two of Assad’s strongest allies, losing their key influence in Syria, the region now faces more uncertainty. Syria has been ravaged by more than 13 years of civil war, leaving cities in ruins, killing hundreds of thousands, and displacing millions. The loss of Assad presents a blow to these powers and adds to the ongoing chaos in the region.
As the rebels continued their advance, the Syrian army announced that operations would continue against “terrorist groups” in Hama, Homs, and Deraa countryside. Yet, reports suggest that Assad was nowhere to be found, with sources telling Reuters that he had fled the country, likely by plane, although the details of his departure remain unclear. Some even speculate that he may have perished in a plane crash, as the aircraft mysteriously disappeared off radar after making an unusual turn.
Rebels also claimed victory in Homs, a pivotal city in Syria’s heartland. The city had been a site of intense fighting in the past, and its fall represents a major symbolic win for the rebels. As the Syrian army withdrew, residents filled the streets, celebrating and chanting slogans against Assad’s rule. This victory gave the insurgents control over a key highway, further weakening Assad’s grip on power.
The rapid developments have left regional powers like the United Arab Emirates and Egypt worried about the rise of Islamist militant groups in Syria, particularly Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which has emerged as a dominant force in the rebel alliance. HTS, once affiliated with al-Qaeda, is now an influential player in the Syrian opposition, and its leader, Abu Mohammed al-Golani, has expressed interest in ensuring a stable transition. According to Joshua Landis, a Syria expert, Golani is keen on avoiding chaos similar to what followed the fall of Saddam Hussein in Iraq.
However, the involvement of HTS in any future Syrian government raises concerns among neighboring countries and international players. The U.S. and Europe are likely to face difficult decisions on how to engage with a post-Assad Syria, especially with the potential influence of HTS in shaping the country’s political future.
In the midst of the chaos, Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali suggested that free elections should be held so that Syrians could choose their new leaders. However, this would require a smooth transition, which seems increasingly difficult given the complex array of interests, from Islamist factions to groups with ties to international powers like the U.S., Russia, and Turkey.
Syria’s civil war, which started as an uprising against Assad’s rule in 2011, has been a conflict of global significance, drawing in powers like the U.S., Russia, and Iran. The collapse of Assad’s regime represents a turning point for the country, but the path ahead remains uncertain. As the rebel-led government looks to stabilize the situation, the future of Syria, marked by years of war, remains in flux.
Amid the turmoil, Kurdish-led forces in Syria have also expressed optimism, suggesting that this moment of change could offer an opportunity for a new Syria built on democracy and justice. However, the coming months will be critical in determining whether Syria can emerge from this devastating war as a unified and stable state. The world watches closely as Syria navigates this unprecedented moment in its history.
ALSO READ: Syrian Rebels Storm Damascus: The Final Stage Of Assad’s Rule?
