Syrian Government Collapses as Rebels Storm Damascus, Assad Flees Capital
The Syrian government collapsed early Sunday morning after a lightning offensive by rebel forces that swept through government-held territories and reached the capital, Damascus, within just ten days. This marked the dramatic end of more than 50 years of Assad family rule, as President Bashar al-Assad fled the city for an undisclosed location.
Rebel forces, led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), declared the capital “free” from Assad’s rule. In a statement broadcast by rebel media, they announced that the Syrian government had effectively crumbled, and thousands of political prisoners, including those held in the notorious Saydnaya prison, had been liberated. The group also reported that significant areas of Damascus had fallen under their control, with reports of celebratory gunfire echoing through the city.
Footage shared on social media showed jubilant crowds in Damascus and the city of Homs, chanting anti-Assad slogans and waving flags. In Homs, the city’s main square saw protesters tearing down a statue of Assad’s late father, Hafez al-Assad, symbolizing the collapse of the regime’s decades-long grip on power. Protesters danced in the streets, calling for an end to the oppressive rule that had caused immeasurable suffering to the Syrian people.
As the rebel forces surged toward the capital, Syrian state media reported that President Bashar al-Assad had fled Damascus by plane, though his destination remains unclear. Two senior Syrian army officers confirmed the departure, marking the end of Assad’s 24-year rule. The Syrian army, once a formidable force, appeared to have retreated in disarray, with soldiers and police officers abandoning their posts across the capital.
The fall of Damascus follows a series of stunning victories by rebel forces in the past week. Key cities like Aleppo, Hama, and Homs, as well as large parts of southern Syria, have been taken by the opposition, leaving the Assad government with limited control. The rebel offensive, which began on November 27, swiftly gained momentum, with HTS leading the charge. Although the group has historical ties to al-Qaeda, it has recently attempted to moderate its image, calling for a more inclusive governance model. Despite this, HTS remains designated a terrorist organization by both the U.S. and the United Nations.
Assad’s decision to launch a violent crackdown on peaceful protests in 2011 sparked the civil war that has devastated Syria. Since then, the conflict has claimed over 500,000 lives and displaced millions. The war has drawn in international powers, with Russia and Iran backing Assad, while the U.S. and other Western nations have supported various opposition groups. Despite years of foreign intervention, Assad’s forces had remained entrenched, but the recent rebel victories have now shattered the regime’s last strongholds.
The international community has reacted swiftly to the news of Assad’s flight. The United Nations has called for urgent talks to ensure an orderly transition and to prevent further violence. Syrian Prime Minister Mohammed Ghazi al-Jalali, who has not left the country, expressed readiness to hand over power to a transitional government. However, the path to peace remains uncertain, with neighboring countries such as Jordan and Egypt urging for a government-in-exile to be formed.
