The Fall of Assad's Regime and Syrian Rebels' Victory in Damascus

The Fall of Assad's Regime and Syrian Rebels' Victory in Damascus

The End of an Era in Syria: Rebels Seize Damascus, Toppling Assad Regime

The decades-long dominance of the Assad family has come to a dramatic conclusion as Syrian opposition forces successfully overthrew Bashar al-Assad’s government, marking a monumental shift in the country's history.

In the early hours of Sunday, Syrian rebel groups declared victory after entering Damascus, the capital. Russia confirmed Assad's resignation and departure from Syria, though his whereabouts remain unknown. U.S. sources speculate he fled toward Russia, but his plane vanished from radar following a sudden change in course.

In a statement shared on Telegram, the rebels declared:
"After 50 years of oppression under Baath rule, and 13 years of crimes, tyranny, and forced displacement, we announce today the end of this dark period and the start of a new era for Syria."

Rapid Rebel Offensive Sweeps Syria
The rebel coalition, spearheaded by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA), launched a swift offensive on November 27. Within eight days, they captured Aleppo, Hama, Homs, and ultimately Damascus, leading to the collapse of the Assad regime.

Their advance, reminiscent of the early Arab Spring uprisings, left the Assad government holding only Latakia and Tartus, with ongoing clashes reported in Latakia.

Scenes of Celebration and Resilience
Jubilant Syrians filled the streets of Damascus, tearing down statues of Hafez al-Assad and burning banners of Bashar al-Assad. The presidential palace and the Assad family residence were ransacked.

Electricity worker Mohammed Amer Al-Oulabi, 44, expressed his relief:
"From Idlib to Damascus, it only took a few days, thank God. May God bless the heroic lions who made us proud."

A Pivotal Moment for Syria and the Middle East
This victory ends a nearly 14-year civil war that devastated Syria, resulting in 500,000 deaths and millions displaced. The fall of Assad's regime also deals a significant blow to allies Russia and Iran, reshaping the geopolitical landscape in the Middle East.

Syria's interim prime minister, Mohammed Ghazi Jalali, pledged peaceful cooperation with the rebels to ensure a smooth transition of power.

The United Nations and international leaders, including U.S. Special Envoy Geir Pedersen, have called for dialogue and unity to guide Syria into a new era.