Syria awoke to a new dawn on Monday, a dawn marked not by the oppressive shadow of Bashar al-Assad’s decades-long rule, but by the joyous outpouring of a nation celebrating its liberation. A lightning-fast rebel offensive, culminating in the dramatic fall of Damascus over the weekend, brought an abrupt end to the Assad dynasty’s more than half-century grip on power. The celebrations, which began on Sunday and continued throughout “Friday of Victory,” involved widespread jubilation, fireworks displays, and the public display of the Syrian independence flag – a symbol previously suppressed under Assad’s regime.
The scenes of celebration were remarkable, with crowds gathering in major cities like Damascus, Aleppo, Homs, Hama, and Idlib. In Aleppo, a city scarred by years of brutal civil war, AFP correspondents reported a festive atmosphere, a stark contrast to the conflict’s grim reality. Even in Sweida, the heartland of Syria’s Druze minority, there was palpable relief, with elderly residents expressing disbelief and joy at the unexpected turn of events. Many Syrians, including those who had fled to neighboring countries like Turkey, openly wept tears of joy, finally free from the fear and oppression that characterized Assad’s reign. The fall of Assad’s iconic billboard in Aleppo served as a potent symbol of the regime’s end.
The swift change of power has triggered a flurry of diplomatic activity. A high-level meeting is scheduled for Saturday in Aqaba, Jordan, bringing together diplomats from the United States, the European Union, Turkey, and Arab nations. This follows Turkey’s announcement that it will reopen its embassy in Damascus, a significant move considering Ankara’s previous calls for Assad’s resignation. Qatar, which had not restored diplomatic ties with Assad since 2011, will also send a delegation to meet with transitional government officials. The speed of these developments underscores the global community’s urgent need to understand and respond to the rapidly unfolding situation in Syria.
The Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which played a pivotal role in the offensive, has called for calm and has insisted on the protection of all Syrians and the rule of law, aiming to present a moderate face to the international community despite its designation as a terrorist organization by many Western governments. The interim government’s early interaction with the UN Refugee Agency, characterized by “constructive” signals and a request for the organization’s continued presence in the country, suggests a potential shift in relations with international bodies. The G7, in a virtual meeting, expressed hopes for a peaceful and inclusive political transition, highlighting the international community’s interest in a stable and democratic future for Syria.
The euphoria of liberation is tempered by the daunting task of rebuilding a nation ravaged by years of war and oppression. The immediate priority for many is locating missing loved ones, with reports of Syrians searching prisons, hospitals, and morgues for information on tens of thousands who disappeared under Assad’s regime. The International Committee of the Red Cross has already documented more than 35,000 disappearances, but the actual number is likely significantly higher. The EU has begun an “air bridge” operation to provide urgently needed humanitarian aid, delivering an initial 50 tons of health supplies.
The geopolitical implications are profound. Assad’s backers, Russia, Iran, and Hezbollah, are grappling with the implications of his fall. Turkey, while supporting some of the rebel factions, has urged Russia and Iran against military intervention. Israel, which has conducted strikes inside Syria and deployed troops into a UN-patrolled buffer zone in the Golan Heights, has shown readiness to maintain its presence there. The international community, now facing the challenge of managing the transition and rebuilding Syria, must carefully navigate the complex dynamics of this historic shift.
