Assad Flees as Rebels Seize Damascus, Ending 24-Year Rule in 14 Days

Rebel forces have captured Damascus, forcing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to flee after a rapid 14-day offensive. The insurgents, led by Islamist militant groups, declared the end of Assad’s 24-year rule, liberating prisoners and celebrating in key cities like Aleppo. This marks the collapse of a regime that has ruled Syria since 1971.

CONTENTS:

• Syrian rebels topple Assad regime.
• Assad flees, rebels control Damascus.
• Assad family’s decades-long rule ends.
• Rebels overthrow Assad, marking victory.

Assad Flees as Rebels Seize Damascus, Ending 24-Year Rule in 14 Days

Syrian rebels topple Assad regime

Assad Flees as Rebels Seize Damascus Syrian rebels announced on Sunday that they have ended Bashar al-Assad’s 24-year rule in a surprise offensive. After swiftly seizing Damascus, they declared the collapse of the Assad regime on state television. Assad reportedly fled the capital for an unknown destination as his forces retreated from key positions, including Homs, a symbolic stronghold now under rebel control.

The rebels, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, freed thousands of detainees and dismantled symbols of Assad’s regime, such as statues of his father. They assured the public that government institutions would remain intact under interim oversight by the former prime minister until a proper transition.

This upheaval marks a significant moment for the Middle East, ending decades of Assad family rule and weakening key allies Iran and Russia, who had supported Assad through years of conflict. The U.S. and regional powers are closely monitoring the situation, which could lead to both opportunities for peace and potential instability, given the rebels’ Islamist leadership and their prior affiliations with extremist groups.

The rapid loss of territory highlights Assad’s diminishing support as allies like Russia and Hezbollah face their own crises, leaving the Syrian military unprepared to counter the rebel surge.

Assad flees, rebels control Damascus

Assad Flees as Rebels Seize Damascus  Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has fled the country, marking the end of his 50-year regime. Rebels, in a surprise move, have taken control of Damascus, with no sign of military resistance. This marks the most significant challenge to Assad’s rule since the onset of Syria’s civil war in 2011.

In celebration, Syrians cheered in the streets, especially in Damascus suburbs, as opposition forces announced the liberation of prisoners and the end of the era of injustice, particularly at Sednaya prison, known for housing political detainees. Rebel fighters have torn down Assad’s posters and those of Hezbollah’s leaders in the capital.

The rapid collapse of the Syrian government has prompted neighboring countries like Lebanon and Jordan to close their borders with Syria, while the U.N. seeks urgent talks for a political transition in Geneva. The U.S. and regional leaders are closely monitoring the situation.

Syria’s Prime Minister Ghazi al-Jalali has advocated for free elections, signaling a readiness to cooperate with the opposition. Meanwhile, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the main rebel group, continues to assert control over key cities, including Homs and Aleppo, signaling a major shift in the war.

The Syrian military has acknowledged ongoing operations in the countryside, warning of a potential large-scale plot targeting Syria’s stability, but has not commented on the rebels’ claims of seizing the capital.

Assad family’s decades-long rule ends

Assad Flees as Rebels Seize Damascus  The Assad family has ruled Syria for over fifty years, a reign initiated by Hafez al-Assad in 1970, and now appears to be coming to an abrupt end. The Assads, from the Alawite minority, maintained control over a predominantly Sunni country, with Hafez strategically securing power through military alliances and dividing the country along sectarian lines. His rule elevated the Alawite community to positions of influence, particularly in the military and security sectors, ensuring loyalty but also sowing division.

Hafez’s death in 2000 saw his son Bashar al-Assad, initially a hopeful figure for reform, inherit the regime. However, Bashar quickly consolidated power by surrounding himself with loyalists, primarily from the urban elite, rather than addressing the broader population’s needs. Despite early optimism, his rule became synonymous with repression, culminating in violent crackdowns on dissent, notably during the 2011 uprisings that led to a devastating civil war.

Bashar’s leadership saw economic mismanagement and growing inequality, despite some initial improvements in GDP. The Assad regime maintained control through a “shadow state” system reliant on security agencies and patronage networks. The conflict continued to escalate, causing widespread suffering and displacement.

In 2024, rebel forces, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), launched a significant offensive, eventually capturing key cities and entering Damascus, forcing the Assad family to flee, marking the possible end of their long rule over Syria.

Rebels overthrow Assad, marking victory

Assad Flees as Rebels Seize Damascus  Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is believed to have fled the country as rebel forces claimed to have captured Damascus after a rapid offensive that lasted just under two weeks. Two senior Syrian officers told Reuters that Assad had left the capital, although his exact whereabouts remain unknown. The offensive, led by Islamist militant insurgents, took many by surprise, with the rebels declaring the end of Assad’s 24-year rule.

Celebrations erupted in the streets of Damascus as the rebels announced they had liberated the city and overthrown Assad’s regime. The announcement included the release of prisoners from notorious facilities like Sednaya prison, known for its brutal treatment under Assad’s rule. The rebels also urged citizens to protect Syria’s newly liberated state. Meanwhile, in Aleppo, another city recently seized by the rebels, celebrations continued with cheers and songs heard throughout the city.

Assad’s family has ruled Syria since 1971, beginning with Hafez al-Assad’s military coup. Bashar inherited power from his father in 2000 and survived the brutal civil war that began in 2011, during which the regime used violent tactics, including airstrikes and chemical weapons, to suppress opposition. Despite support from Russia and Iran, which helped him maintain control, the insurgent advance ultimately brought an end to his rule.

The rapid rebel gains around Damascus led to the flight of many Syrian army officers, and insurgent forces closed in on the capital from multiple directions. Prime Minister Mohammed Ghazi Jalali appeared to signal a willingness to cooperate with the opposition, though Assad’s location remained unclear.

The insurgents promised a “new Syria,” marking a fresh start after years of suffering under Assad’s dictatorship. While many rejoiced at the regime’s downfall, there was also grief and uncertainty, as many Syrians still feared for the fate of the thousands who had been forcibly disappeared or imprisoned during the war.