After almost two weeks of intense fighting, Syrian
rebels have captured Damascus, marking the
end of Bashar al-Assad’s two-decade-long regime
Web Desk
Damascus: Syrian rebels have captured Damascus, ending Bashar al-Assad‘s two-decade-long rule. The dramatic fall of the capital followed a swift offensive that seized Aleppo, Hama, and Homs.
President Assad fled Damascus to an undisclosed location on Sunday, according to two senior army officers who spoke to Reuters. Opposition leader Hadi al-Bahra confirmed, “Damascus is now without Bashar al-Assad.” Rebels declared victory on state television shortly after entering the city.
Turning Point in Syria’s History
The rebel offensive began on November 27 and faced little resistance from Assad’s forces. Years of war had left his military weak, with depleted manpower, low morale, and few resources. Soldiers reportedly abandoned their positions across the country. By the time rebels reached Damascus, Assad’s forces had collapsed.
Bashar al-Assad came to power in 2000, inheriting a tightly controlled and repressive regime. Many hoped he would introduce reforms. Instead, he violently crushed peaceful protests in 2011, igniting a brutal civil war. The conflict has killed over 500,000 people and displaced millions.
Why Assad Fell
Assad relied on Russia and Iran to maintain his grip on power. Their military and financial support helped him survive earlier uprisings. However, this time, both allies were preoccupied—Russia with its war in Ukraine and Iran with regional conflicts.
Nick Heras, an analyst at the New Lines Institute, noted, “The Assad government’s survival depended on its usefulness to Iran and Russia. Once they shifted priorities, Assad’s days were numbered.”
Regional Power Dynamics Shift
The fall of Damascus ends five decades of Assad family rule. It also reshapes power dynamics in the Middle East. Iran, which used Syria to transfer weapons to Hezbollah, faces a significant setback.
Hezbollah has also suffered major losses, including the deaths of senior leaders in recent Israeli airstrikes. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attributed Assad’s fall to “the blows we have inflicted on Iran and Hezbollah.”
Uncertain Future for Syria
Many Syrians and refugees celebrated Assad’s fall. However, concerns loom about what comes next. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the Islamist group leading the offensive, has roots in al-Qaeda. The group has tried to rebrand itself as a nationalist force but remains controversial.
The lack of a clear political plan raises fears of chaos and further violence. Opposition leader Abu Mohammed al-Julani declared a curfew in Damascus to maintain order. He also assured that state institutions would remain under supervision until a formal transition occurs.
As celebrations continue, Syrians face an uncertain road ahead. The challenge now is to rebuild a shattered nation and prevent further instability.
