Syrian rebel commanders declared victory on Sunday, announcing that they had taken control of Damascus and forced President Bashar al-Assad to flee, ending his family’s decades-long authoritarian rule after more than 13 years of civil war. The shift in power represents a seismic moment for the Middle East and a major blow to the influence of Assad’s key allies, Russia and Iran.
The rebels reported entering the capital without encountering significant military resistance, with thousands of civilians flooding the streets in celebration, waving flags, and chanting “Freedom” in a jubilant expression of their liberation from the Assad regime. Witnesses saw people streaming into the Al-Rawda Presidential Palace, some even taking furniture from the building, as news spread that prisoners held by the government had been released from a major prison on the outskirts of the city.
“We celebrate with the Syrian people the news of freeing our prisoners and releasing their chains,” the rebel forces stated, marking the symbolic end of the Assad family’s rule.
Abu Mohammed al-Golani, a leading commander of the rebel coalition, declared that there would be no turning back. “The future is ours,” he said, emphasizing the rebels’ resolve to continue their efforts that began during the Arab Spring uprisings of 2011.
In a statement that echoed global sentiment, French President Emmanuel Macron hailed the fall of the Assad regime, calling it the collapse of a “barbaric state” and lauding the courage of the Syrian people.
While celebrations filled the streets of Damascus, Syria now faces the daunting challenge of rebuilding a nation fractured by years of conflict. The new leadership will need to address the country’s deep divisions, manage competing factions, and secure billions of dollars in foreign aid to restore stability. One potential concern is the resurgence of Islamic State militants, who once imposed a reign of terror across Syria and Iraq and may seek to exploit the chaos.
Amid the shifting landscape, Iranian-backed Hezbollah forces, who had been pivotal in supporting Assad’s regime, withdrew all personnel from Syria on Saturday. This withdrawal came as rebel forces closed in on Damascus.
Assad himself, who had been absent from the public eye since the rebel advance began, fled the capital on Sunday, according to two senior army officers. His whereabouts remain unknown, with Russian officials confirming that he had left office and departed the country after ordering a peaceful transition of power.
The Syrian rebel coalition has committed to continuing the process of power transfer and 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 Syria together that befits the sacrifices of its people,” they stated.
As joy filled the streets of Damascus, Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali called for free elections, marking a new chapter in Syria’s tumultuous history.
