On 8 December 2024, the Assad regime in Syria collapsed following a swift and decisive offensive by rebel forces, culminating in the capture of Damascus. This event marks the end of over five decades of Assad family rule, initiated by Hafez al-Assad in 1971 and continued by his son, Bashar al-Assad, from 2000.
The offensive began on 27 November 2024, with rebel forces, primarily led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), launching attacks from Idlib. They swiftly captured key cities including Aleppo, Hama, and Homs, facing minimal resistance from government forces.
By 7 December, rebels had encircled Damascus, leading to the withdrawal of pro-government forces from surrounding towns. On 8 December, opposition forces entered the capital, effectively ending Assad's rule.
As rebel forces closed in on Damascus, President Bashar al-Assad reportedly fled the capital. An aircraft, suspected to be carrying Assad and his family, departed Damascus International Airport but vanished from radar approximately 40 minutes after takeoff. The current whereabouts of Assad remain unknown, with conflicting reports suggesting the plane may have been shot down, crashed, or had its transponder turned off.
Following the capture of Damascus, rebel leaders declared the city "free of the tyrant Bashar al-Assad" and announced the end of the Assad regime on state television. They also released approximately 3,500 prisoners from the notorious Sednaya prison. Public celebrations erupted in Damascus, with citizens gathering in central squares, dismantling symbols of the Assad regime, and chanting slogans of freedom.
President Donald Trump stated that Assad fled Syria after Russian President Vladimir Putin was "no longer interested" in protecting him. Trump called for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine, urging Putin and China to act to end the conflict. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomed the fall of Assad's "brutal regime."
The collapse of the Assad regime has created a power vacuum in Syria, raising concerns about potential instability and the resurgence of extremist groups. The international community emphasizes the importance of a peaceful transition and the establishment of a representative government to ensure stability in the region.
Image: Sammy.aw/Wikimedia Commons
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