The Assad regime in Syria collapsed Saturday after more than five decades in power, as rebel forces swiftly advanced into Damascus, reclaiming the capital with minimal resistance. This marked the end of a dictatorship that began in 1970 under Hafez al-Assad and continued with Bashar al-Assad’s rule starting in 2000.
The offensive, which began on November 27, saw rebel fighters capture key cities, including Aleppo and Hama, before storming Damascus. Multiple reports confirmed that Assad fled the country, though his whereabouts remain unknown. The Russian foreign ministry stated that Assad resigned and directed his prime minister to oversee a peaceful transition but denied facilitating his departure.
Celebrations erupted as videos circulated showing rebels inside Assad’s palace and freeing prisoners near Damascus. Rebel commander Abu Mohammed al-Julani, leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, instructed his forces to avoid government institutions, while former Prime Minister Mohammed Ghazi al-Jalali pledged to support the transition.
The collapse has heightened regional tensions. Israel deployed troops to the Golan Heights buffer zone, citing potential instability. “This is a direct result of the blows we’ve inflicted on Iran and Hezbollah, Assad’s main supporters,” said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. President-elect Donald Trump also commented, attributing Assad's fall to Russia’s waning support amid its focus on Ukraine and economic struggles.
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