Syrians celebrate the collapse of Assad’s regime amid calls for stability and free elections.
Damascus (EPICSTORIAN) – Syrian rebels declared the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad on Sunday in a swift offensive that ended 50 years of Assad family rule, delivering a political earthquake to the Middle East.
The announcement, made on state television, came as opposition forces claimed control over Damascus, marking a pivotal shift in Syria’s 13-year-long civil war.
In a latest development, senior Syrian army officials revealed to Reuters that Assad had fled the capital early Sunday to an undisclosed location. Despite this, the Syrian army released a statement asserting its continued fight against “terrorist groups” in key cities, including Hama, Homs, and Deraa countryside.
“We celebrate with the Syrian people the news of freeing our prisoners and releasing their chains,” a rebel statement declared, referencing Sednaya prison, a notorious detention facility on Damascus’s outskirts where the Assad government jailed thousands of political prisoners.
The streets of Damascus erupted into celebration. Thousands gathered in cars and on foot at the city’s main square, chanting “Freedom” and waving flags. Witnesses described jubilant crowds celebrating the end of what many viewed as decades of autocratic oppression under Assad’s regime.
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Russia protected President al-Assad
The fall of Assad’s government is a significant geopolitical loss for Russia and Iran, key allies of the Syrian regime. Both nations heavily invested in supporting Assad throughout the prolonged conflict. The rebels’ victory now casts uncertainty over Syria’s political future and fuels concerns of further instability in the region as the war in Gaza continues to escalate.
The end of Assad’s rule may bring both hope and peril for Syrians. The nation remains shattered from years of war that have displaced millions and decimated cities. Stabilizing regions seized by the rebels will be critical.
However, concerns loom large over the influence of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a globally designated terrorist group, within the opposition’s ranks. Western governments, long critical of Assad, now face difficult choices in recognizing or supporting a new administration.
Prime Minister Mohammad al-Hussein, a figure emerging prominently in the transitional talks, urged for calm and free elections. “Syria must not lose this historic opportunity. The people deserve peace, dignity, and democratic choice,” he stated in an address.
Economic turmoil, protests, and deep divides Led to President Bashar al-Assad’s Overthrow
Syria’s political struggles have been tenuous, with multiple factions vying for control. The country has also been grappling with worsening economic hardships, including rampant inflation and fuel shortages.
In early November, public protests erupted over deteriorating living conditions, and endless leadership of president al-Assad, particularly in government-held regions. Meanwhile, unresolved ethnic and regional divides threaten further fragmentation, complicating efforts to rebuild a unified state.
