In a dramatic turn of events, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has reportedly fled to Moscow, seeking asylum in his long-time ally’s territory, as rebels seized control of Damascus, the capital city. This marks the stunning end of the Assad family’s ironclad 50-year rule over Syria.
The news broke on Sunday through Russian media outlets, citing a Kremlin source who confirmed Assad’s escape and asylum request. Assad’s departure followed a swift and overwhelming rebel offensive that captured the heart of Damascus, a pivotal moment that left the country in turmoil and uncertainty.
As rebels moved into the city, Syrians took to the streets, celebrating the fall of Assad’s regime with gunfire and chants of joy. People waved the Syrian revolutionary flag, recalling the early days of the Arab Spring, when hope for change swept across the region, only to be followed by war and devastation.
One of the key rebel leaders, Abu Mohammed al-Golani, who now heads the most powerful faction, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), declared victory after reaching the capital. “This is a victory for the Islamic nation,” al-Golani said during his visit to the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus. He condemned Assad’s rule, accusing him of turning Syria into “a farm for Iran’s greed.”
Al-Golani, a former al-Qaeda commander who has since distanced himself from the extremist group, now leads a faction that has garnered significant influence in Syria. His faction’s rapid advances across the country have raised hopes among many Syrians, but also deepened the complexity of Syria’s political landscape.
While the celebrations were intense, the reality of Syria’s future remains unclear. The country is deeply divided, and the rebels now face the monumental task of uniting a nation torn apart by years of civil war. Rebel groups, some of which have their roots in extremist factions, must navigate the complexities of ethnic and religious divisions if they are to bring peace to a nation in ruins.
“I am happy today, but my happiness will not be complete until I find my son, who has been in prison for 13 years,” said Bassam Masr, a Damascus resident whose relative was among those freed from the infamous Saydnaya prison. Rebel fighters broke open the prison doors, releasing many prisoners, including women and children. The scenes of freed prisoners left many in tears, with some struggling to comprehend the new reality.
Rebels have taken control of key state institutions, including the presidential palace, which has been ransacked. Syrian state television, now under rebel control, announced the overthrow of Assad and the release of all political prisoners. In a statement, they urged Syrians to preserve the institutions of a “free Syrian state.”
However, the future of Syria remains uncertain. As the rebel groups assert their authority, they face challenges from various factions. Kurdish forces, supported by the United States, are engaged in ongoing battles with Turkish-backed opposition fighters in the north. Meanwhile, the remnants of the Islamic State group continue to pose a threat in isolated regions.
The fall of Assad’s regime also signifies a major blow to Iran, which had been a staunch ally of the Syrian leader throughout the civil war. Iran, which has invested heavily in supporting Assad, condemned the fall of the regime but refrained from any aggressive response. The Iranian embassy in Damascus was reported to have been ransacked after its evacuation.
In the face of this upheaval, the international community has responded with concern. Russia, which has supported Assad for years, called for an emergency session of the United Nations Security Council to discuss the crisis. Dmitry Polyansky, Russia’s deputy permanent representative to the UN, announced the request, underscoring Moscow’s interest in preserving its influence in Syria.
For many, the fall of Assad is a triumph, but the road ahead remains fraught with danger. Anas Salkhadi, a rebel commander, reassured Syrians from all walks of life that the rebels would not repeat the oppressive tactics of the Assad regime. “Syria belongs to everyone,” he said. “We will not discriminate based on sect or religion. We will treat everyone with respect.”
While al-Golani’s leadership has sparked hope among some Syrians, his group’s ties to al-Qaeda’s past continue to draw skepticism. The challenge now lies in uniting the fractured nation and establishing a government that can maintain stability while navigating the competing interests of regional powers and domestic factions.
