Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has fled the country of Syria for an unknown destination, ending a fifty year regime. The Opposition forces in war-torn Syria took over the capital city of Damascus, early on Sunday.
Syrian Opposition said on Sunday they have begun entering the capital Damascus without any sign of army deployments. The developments mark the biggest challenge to President Bashar al-Assad’s rule since Syria’s civil war began in 2011.
“We celebrate with the Syrian people the news of freeing our prisoners and releasing their chains and announcing the end of the era of injustice in Sednaya prison,” they added. Sednaya is a large military prison on the outskirts Damascus where the Syrian government detained thousands.
The rapidly developing events have shaken the region. Lebanon said it was closing all its land border crossings with Syria except for one that links Beirut with Damascus. Jordan closed a border crossing with Syria, too.
Eight key countries gathered with the U.N. special envoy on Syria on the sidelines of the Doha Summit for two hours of discussions Saturday night, and more will follow. The UN envoy seeks urgent talks in Geneva to ensure an “orderly political transition.”
Ankara is recalibrating its policies as it seeks to see al-Assad removed and the opposition take control. One concern is preventing the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), largely made up of Kurdish fighters, from gaining more territory.
Another key issue is the large number of Syrian refugees, with Turkey hosting about 3.5 million. Ankara hopes a stable, opposition-controlled Syria will allow many refugees to return, offering relief to the Turkish economy.
Syruian rebels issue statement amid power transfer process
The Syrian Rebel Coalition has called on Kurdish forces to disengage from any foreign organizations.
The coalition is continuing efforts to transfer power to a transitional governing body with full executive powers.
They stated that the Syrian revolution broke decades of tyranny and oppression, creating a new birth for a “Great Syria.”
Iran is actively reassessing its strategic stance on Syria, according to analyst Tohid Asadi, who specializes in Iranian affairs. He noted that Tehran is “dynamically assessing” the unfolding situation and working to “remodify its geopolitical and strategic position.”
Asadi also highlighted that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is currently in Doha for discussions on the developments. The analyst emphasized that Tehran is showing significant concern over the situation in Syria, with a noticeable surge in diplomatic activity from the Islamic Republic in recent days.
Damascus Declared “Liberated”: Syrian rebels have swiftly entered Damascus with minimal resistance, declaring the capital “liberated.”
Bashar al-Assad’s Disappearance: Assad has not been seen or heard from publicly since the rebels’ advance, leading to speculation that he has fled the city.
End of Assad’s Rule: His potential departure marks the end of over 50 years of autocratic Assad family rule in Syria.
Rebel Control of Key Locations: Rebels now control vital positions in Damascus, including the presidential palace and Saydnaya Military Prison.
Government’s Position: Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali expresses willingness to cooperate with any new leadership chosen by the people.
Search for Assad: Rebels are actively searching for Assad, questioning military officers and intelligence officials for information on his whereabouts.
Global Shock: The speed of the rebel advance has caught the world off guard, signaling a dramatic shift in Syria’s power dynamics.
Impact on Iran: The fall of Assad is seen as a major setback for Iran’s influence in the region, particularly after the collapse of groups like Hezbollah and Hamas.
Celebrations in Aleppo: As news of Assad’s retreat spread, celebrations erupted in Aleppo, signaling potential end to Assad’s regime.
U.S. Response: The U.S. is closely monitoring the situation, with President Biden in regular contact with regional partners.
A New Chapter for Syria: The sudden change marks a significant moment in Syria’s ongoing conflict and could signal a new chapter in the country’s history.
A video surfaced on Sunday showing Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali being escorted by rebels in Damascus. The footage shows Jalali walking with armed men before entering a black SUV, reportedly heading to the Four Seasons Hotel to meet with rebel leaders and hand over government authority.
In the video, the prime minister is heard emphasizing his goal to ensure the continued operation of public institutions, safeguard state facilities, and maintain security for all citizens during this transition. He was reportedly accompanied by the 5th Corps from Hauran, a region in southern Syria.
Speaking at the Doha Forum, Qatar’s Minister of State Mohammed bin Abdulaziz al-Khulaifi affirmed his country’s full support for the political process under UN Security Council Resolution 2254, which calls for an end to hostilities and a political solution to the Syrian conflict.
Al-Khulaifi emphasized Qatar’s commitment to taking systematic and procedural steps that promote stability while preserving Syria’s unity and territorial integrity. He noted that the conflict is an internal struggle between the Syrian regime and its people, not between Syria and other nations, and Qatar supports any pathway that leads to a resolution.
Israeli tanks have reportedly crossed the border fence into Syria for the first time since 1974, following Israel’s decision to increase its military presence in response to the ongoing rebel offensive. The move is said to be aimed at preventing Syrian forces or civilians from approaching Israeli positions, according to Maariv newspaper.
Earlier, Israeli Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli emphasized the need for Israel to establish a new defensive line based on the 1974 ceasefire line with Syria, particularly at Mount Hermon in the occupied Golan Heights. Israel seized most of the Golan Heights from Syria in 1967 and formally annexed it in 1981.
There has been no confirmation on the whereabouts of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. The opposition had previously claimed that he fled the country, and Reuters cited senior army officers reporting that he boarded a plane and left for an unknown destination.
The last flight to depart from Damascus before the rebels seized the capital was an Illyushin76 aircraft, Syrian Air 9218. Flight trackers showed that its signal disappeared shortly after takeoff, as it passed over the rebel-held city of Homs.Syria War Live:
The military command of the opposition forces said in a statement that “we all need to unite and cooperate to present the best image of our revolution and our people” in a historic moment.
It issued the following instructions to all overthrowing forces:
It is strictly forbidden to fire bullets into the air under any circumstances, as it causes panic among civilians and endangers the lives of the innocent.
It is forbidden to tamper with public institutions and property, as they are the rightful property of the people. It is our duty to protect and preserve them and help develop them.
It is forbidden to encroach upon or harm any private property in any form.
US president-elect Donald Trump said on Sunday that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad had “fled his country” after losing the backing of Russia.
“Assad is gone,” he said on his Truth Social platform. “His protector, Russia, Russia, Russia, led by Vladimir Putin, was not interested in protecting him any longer.”
Israel’s military has deployed forces into the buffer zone between Israel and Syria in the occupied Golan Heights following recent events in Syria, including the entry of armed personnel. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) stated that the deployment aims to ensure the safety of Golan Heights communities and Israeli citizens, and they will continue operations as needed to preserve the buffer zone.
The Golan Heights, a strategic plateau seized by Israel from Syria in 1967 and annexed in 1981, is separated from Syria by a UN-monitored buffer zone. Despite Israel’s control, the Golan is considered occupied territory under international law, with Syria continuing to demand its return.
The commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), Mazloum Abdi, called the recent developments in Syria “historic,” as Islamist rebels claimed control of Damascus and the fall of President Bashar al-Assad. Abdi, whose Kurdish-led forces control much of Syria’s northeast, expressed hope that these events could lead to a new era for the country.
In a statement on Telegram, Abdi stated that the collapse of Assad’s authoritarian regime presents an opportunity to build a democratic and just Syria, one that ensures the rights of all Syrians.
