Syrian President, Bashar Al Assad’s regime has collapsed as rebels captured the capital city, Damascus, bringing an end to Bashar Al Assad’s 24 years rule, after the death of his father, Hafez Al Assad, who ruled the country for three decades, according to reports.
President Assad fled the country to undisclosed location as rebel forces swiftly captured major cities and advanced into the capital but later Russian media confirmed that he landed in Moscow where he and his family granted asylum.
Report further said that the regime’s fall marks a historic shift for Syria, with jubilant celebrations erupting across the streets, signaling the end of decades of authoritarian rule.
A group of rebels aired a video statement on Syrian state television saying the “criminal regime has fallen” and that all prisoners had been freed.
These rebels called on people to preserve the institutions of “the free Syrian state.” While later announced a curfew in Damascus from 4 p.m. to 5 a.m.
One video circulating online purported to show rebels breaking open cell doors and freeing dozens of female prisoners, many of whom appeared shocked and confused. At least one small child could be seen among them.
Rebel commander Anas Salkhadi, who appeared on state TV later in the day, sought to reassure the Syria’s religious and ethnic minorities, saying: “Syria is for everyone, no exceptions. Syria is for Druze, Sunnis, Alawites, and all sects.”United States President, Joe Biden on X, said new opportunities are now opening up for the people of Syria and for the entire region while looking ahead, he said the United States will do the following.
“First, we will engage with Syrian groups – including within the process led by the United Nations – to establish the transition away from the Assad Regime toward an independent, sovereign Syria.
“Second, we will help ensure stability in eastern Syria, protecting our personnel against any threats. We will maintain our mission against ISIS.
“Third, we’ll support Syria’s neighbors – including Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, and Israel – should any threat arise from Syria during this period of transition. Finally, we will remain vigilant”, the President said.US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken in a statement said after 14 years of conflict, the Syrian people finally have reason for hope, adding that the Assad regime’s refusal since 2011 to engage in credible political process and its reliance on the brutal support of Russia and Iran led inevitably to its own collapse.
According to him, “The United States strongly supports a peaceful transition of power to an accountable Syrian government through an inclusive Syrian-led process.
“During this transitional period, the Syrian people have every right to demand the preservation of state institutions, the resumption of key services, and the protection of vulnerable communities.
Blinken revealed that the United States will be closely monitoring developments as they unfold and engaging with its partners in the region. We will support international efforts to hold the Assad regime.
“And its backers accountable for atrocities and abuses perpetrated against the Syrian people, including the use of chemical weapons and the unjust detention of civilians such as Austin Tice.
“We have taken note of statements made by rebel leaders in recent days, but as they take on greater responsibility, we will assess not just their words, but their actions.
“We again call on all actors to respect human rights, take all precautions to protect civilians, and to uphold international humanitarian law”, Blinken said.
In his reaction, the United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres said after 14 years of brutal war, today witness the fall of the dictatorial regime, while the people of Syria can seize historic opportunity to build a stable and peaceful future.Guterres added that the future of Syria is a matter for the Syrians to determine, assuring that through the UN envoy in Syria, he will work towards that end. “The UN will honor the memory of those who have borne the brunt of this conflict.
The UN Chief reiterated the UN’s commitment to helping Syrians build a country where reconciliation, justice, freedom and prosperity are shared realities for all.
Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau said on X, “The fall of Assad’s dictatorship ends decades of brutal oppression.
“A new chapter for Syria can begin here — one free of terrorism and suffering for the Syrian people. Canada is monitoring this transition closely. We urge order, stability, and respect for human rights”, he added
Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Natanyahu said this is a historic day for the Middle East, adding that the collapse of the Assad regime, the tyranny in Damascus, offers great opportunity but also is fraught with significant dangers. He said Israel send a hand of peace to all those beyond its border in Syria: to the Druze, to the Kurds, to the Christians, and to the Muslims who want to live in peace with Israel.
Rania Abouzeid writes that for 54 years, generations of Syrians lived and died in a country that was colloquially known as Assad’s Syria. It was a place where children were taught that the walls had ears and that a misplaced word could lead to being disappeared.
The end of Assad’s Syria was as stunning as it was swift. It took 11 days for some of Assad’s armed opponents to bring down the regime. The fall of the capital, Damascus, on Sunday morning marked the climax of an almost 14-year campaign.
Which began in March, 2011, when peaceful protests morphed into a messy war that pitted myriad armed rebel groups (and others, including foreign jihadi fighters) against the Syrian military and each other.
Damascus was marked by scenes of jubilation, of people cheering and tearing down posters of the Assads, and by scenes of fear: of tearful citizens hurrying through a deserted airport, of soldiers abandoning their posts, leaving military fatigues, equipment, and even tanks strewn in the streets.
