Bashar al-Assad’s 13-year presidency collapsed on Sunday as Syrian rebel forces seized Damascus, bringing an end to the Assad family’s 60-year reign. The swift and unopposed takeover forced Assad and his family to flee to Russia, where they were granted asylum, according to Russian state media.
The fall of the regime marks a significant geopolitical shift, weakening the influence of key Assad allies, Iran and Russia, in the region. A Turkish-backed coalition now controls Syria, sparking hopes of peace after a devastating civil war that left hundreds of thousands dead and millions displaced.
According to eyewitness accounts, celebrations erupted in Damascus as freed political prisoners poured into the streets. At the historic Umayyad Mosque, rebel leader Abu al-Golani proclaimed a new era for Syria, urging citizens to rebuild. “A new history is being written,” he declared, reflecting on the suffering of millions who fled or died during the conflict.
The once-feared police state crumbled overnight as Residents entered the presidential palace, taking belongings in symbolic defiance of the former regime.
U.S. President Joe Biden has hailed the moment as an opportunity but warned of potential instability. Meanwhile, Russia, which intervened militarily in Syria in 2015 to prop up Assad, has called for an emergency UN Security Council meeting.
A Kremlin source confirmed Assad’s arrival in Moscow, stating asylum was granted on humanitarian grounds. Despite Assad’s ouster, Russia assured that its military bases in Syria remain secure under agreements with the new leadership.
Philips Babatunde