The Syrian government finally collapsed in a stunning, unbelievable turn of events marking the fall of more than 50 years of rule by the Assad family. The Syrian opposition forces surprised everyone conducting an offensive that swept across the territories of the governments within 10 days up to the capital city Damascus.
Syrian state television broadcast a statement from an opposition group of fighters declaring that President Bashar Assad has been overthrown and all political prisoners have been released. The faction is known as the “Operations Room to Conquer Damascus,” and it appeals for the infighting to end so that state institutions can be salvaged for a “free Syrian state.”.
According to reports, Assad has left the capital, but the Syrian opposition claims that he went to an unknown place. The government hasn’t said anything officially about it. The country’s Prime Minister, Mohammed Ghazi Jalali, reportedly declared that the government was open to the opposition and ready to transfer the current powers to a new government.
The last week has seen severe gains by the rebels, such as the capture of Aleppo, Hama, and Homs. These strategic cities played a significant role for the forces of Assad, especially in Homs, which is situated midway between Damascus and the coastal provinces of Latakia and Tartus: his strongholds. The opposition forces got hold of the notorious Saydnaya prison with the collapse of Damascus.
Celebrations swept Damascus where crowds chanted anti-Assad slogans, blew car horns, and danced with celebrations of the end of the Assad regime. Military personnel abandoned their posts, and government buildings were looted. In contrast, Syrian security forces seemed to have retreated in disarray.
This dramatic turn in power has sent shock waves throughout Syria and the surrounding region. International calls for transition by peaceful means have strengthened, with talks set to start in Geneva. With this unexpected revolution, the rest of the world is now plunged into the challenge of navigating Syria’s uncertain future.
As the rebel forces consolidated their hold on the capital, Damascus, tension persisted. Thousands of Syrians tried to flee through border crossing points, particularly into Lebanon, fearing the country could deteriorate further. But late Saturday, Lebanese officials shut the main border crossing point, leaving many in limbo and causing confusion among those desperate to leave the country.
The fall of Assad’s regime has thrown Syria into political uncertainty. The U.N. has called for urgent talks to ensure a smooth and orderly political transition, with special envoy Geir Pedersen urging all parties to engage in a Syrian-led process. The discussions are to take place in Geneva, where a roadmap for establishing a transitional government, drafting a new constitution, and holding U.N.-supervised elections will be outlined.
Meanwhile, Assad’s allies have distanced themselves. Russia, busy with its ongoing war in Ukraine, has given little support; Hezbollah, once a key military ally, has been severely weakened by its conflict with Israel; and Iran, another strong supporter of Assad, has faced setbacks in the region, particularly with the diminishing strength of its proxies.
The Syrian opposition, now emboldened by its success, faces a sensitive balance between consolidating power and addressing the needs of a country devastated by over a decade of conflict. The victory celebrations are ongoing, but the road ahead is uncertain as Syria looks toward rebuilding and navigating the complexities of post-Assad governance.
International leaders from the U.S., Russia, and Iran will be monitoring these developments keenly, while many express guarded optimism at the possibility that a new era for Syria is soon to come about. The political transition, without a doubt, will be cumbersome and challenging, requiring the cooperation of both the people of Syria and the global community to ensure sustainable peace and stability.
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