Syria witnessed a historic development this Sunday, as the fall of President Bashar al-Assad’s regime was officially announced after decades of rule. This comes amid the advance of armed factions and the Syrian Prime Minister’s declaration regarding the ongoing transformations.
Sources from the armed factions reported that an official statement would be broadcast on Syrian television soon, without specifying the time. Ahmad al-Shara, leader of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, which is leading the full-scale offensive in Syria, announced that public institutions would remain under the supervision of former Prime Minister Mohamed Ghazi al-Jallali until they are officially handed over.
Al-Shara issued his instructions via the “Telegram” app, urging his forces to stay away from public institutions and avoid firing in the air, emphasizing the importance of maintaining security during this transitional period.
In the same context, an officer in the Syrian army told Reuters that the military command had informed its officers of the end of Assad’s rule, following a surprise attack by faction fighters.
In the streets of Damascus, thousands gathered in a main square, chanting slogans for freedom, while Hadi al-Bahra, leader of the Syrian opposition abroad, declared that Damascus was now free of Assad.
Earlier today, the armed factions confirmed their full control over the city of Homs, a move described as a game-changer in the 13-year conflict. Homs is a strategic hub linking Damascus to the Syrian coast, where the Alawite sect, supportive of Assad and his Russian allies, is concentrated.
The city’s liberation also saw the release of thousands of detainees from prisons, with security forces fleeing after the destruction of their documents.
Despite Assad relying on the support of allies like Russia and Iran to suppress the opposition, regional and international shifts have negatively impacted his ability to endure. Russia’s involvement in the war in Ukraine since 2022, along with the losses Hezbollah has suffered in confrontations with Israel, has diminished the capacity of these allies to provide the necessary support.
With the announcement of Assad’s rule ending, significant challenges lie ahead for Syria in the transitional phase, including reconstruction and political stability. International statements, such as the elected President Donald Trump’s stance on non-intervention, add further complexity to the Syrian scene, which now stands at a historic crossroads.
The Final Stance on the Fall of Assad’s Regime in Syria
