In a stunning turn of events that marks a potential turning point in the protracted Syrian Civil War, opposition fighters stormed the Syrian capital, Damascus, on Sunday, effectively ending Bashar al-Assad’s over 13-year reign of power. Jubilant crowds flooded the streets, celebrating the fall of a regime that had been the focal point of a devastating conflict. This marked the first time opposition forces had reached the heart of Damascus since 2018 when Syrian government troops regained control of the city’s outskirts after a prolonged siege. The preceding night witnessed the swift capture of Homs, Syria’s third-largest city, as government forces abandoned their positions.
Reports indicate that President Assad fled Damascus early Sunday morning, his current whereabouts remaining unknown. This dramatic development has sent shockwaves across the region and internationally. Russia’s Foreign Ministry, in a Telegram post, stated that Assad had left Syria following negotiations with rebel groups and had given instructions for a peaceful transfer of power, while insisting Moscow played no direct role in the negotiations. The ministry also reported placing Russian troops stationed in Syria on high alert, though, by Sunday afternoon, they assessed no significant threat to their military bases.
Further escalating the instability, video footage circulating on Syrian opposition media showed armed men escorting Syrian Prime Minister Mohammed Ghazi Jalali from his office to the Four Seasons hotel. In a video statement, Jalali expressed a willingness to cooperate with the opposition, emphasizing his commitment to maintaining the functionality of state institutions. He stated, “I am in my house and I have not left, and this is because of my belonging to this country.”
The chaos extended to Iran’s embassy in Damascus, which was reportedly stormed by rebels following the fall of Assad’s regime, according to Iranian state television. The reports suggested that a separate armed group, not the main force controlling most of Syria, was responsible for the attack on the embassy and surrounding businesses. This points to the potential for further fracturing within the opposition and raises concerns about future instability.
News of Assad’s downfall ignited widespread celebrations among Syrian exiles in cities such as Berlin, Beirut, and Vienna, with many expressing hopes of returning to their homeland. However, the geopolitical ramifications are significant. Lebanon closed all but one of its land border crossings with Syria, while Jordan also closed a border crossing. Meanwhile, Turkish security officials reported that Turkey-backed opposition forces were nearing control of Manbij, pushing back against the US-backed and Kurdish-led forces in the area. Syrian state television briefly continued broadcasting, urging employees to return to work, while the UN envoy for Syria highlighted the opportunity to address the nation’s deep-seated problems and forge a path towards a brighter future.
In a separate development, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel had seized a buffer zone in the Golan Heights, citing the collapse of a 1974 ceasefire agreement and the abandonment of Syrian troop positions. This move further complicates the already volatile situation. Videos have emerged showing Syrians exploring the abandoned presidential palaces, showcasing a stark visual representation of the regime’s sudden demise and the uncertainty that lies ahead for Syria.
