Crowds assembled in Damascus, Syria on Sunday to commemorate the dramatic weakening of Bashar Assad’s government. Chants, prayers, and sporadic gunfire marked the celebratory atmosphere as opposition fighters made significant progress by entering the capital. Rami Abdurrahman of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which monitors opposition activities, revealed that Assad had taken flight from Damascus and departed the city early that day. While no official statement has been released from the Syrian government, the whereabouts of Assad remain unclear.
This marked a pivotal moment, as it was the first time since 2018 that opposition forces had breached the city limits of Damascus, following years of a stronghold maintained by government troops. The victorious opposition also secured the central city of Homs, Syria’s third-largest city, just the night before, leading some government forces to retreat dramatically.
The rapid changes in the political landscape are affecting neighboring regions as well. Lebanon announced the closure of all land border crossings with Syria except for one connection between Beirut and Damascus, while Jordan also shut down a border crossing with its northern neighbor.
In other developments linked to the unfolding events, Yemen’s President, Rashad al-Alimi, expressed support for the fall of Assad. He characterized it as a historic moment that should compel Iran to cease its meddling in Yemen—a reference to Iranian support for Houthi rebels engaged in a protracted struggle against his internationally recognized government.
On the ground in Damascus, family members wandered through the presidential palace, engaging in photoshoots amid the striking architecture, while some took advantage of the situation by taking furniture. In Umayyad Square, the celebratory mood persisted, with jubilant drivers honking horns and groups of young adults climbing onto an abandoned tank.
Nevertheless, the celebrations were tempered for some participants. A local resident, Bassam Masr, expressed his joy but lamented about his son’s imprisonment, missing for the past 13 years. He noted that his happiness would be incomplete until he could reunite with him.
Meanwhile, Iran responded to the upheaval with a statement suggesting that the future of Syria should be determined internally, free from foreign interference. This marked Iran’s first official reaction to Assad’s ouster, and the Foreign Ministry emphasized the need for a national dialogue involving all Syrian groups to achieve lasting peace and stability.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also made headlines, revealing that Israeli forces had taken control of a buffer zone in the Golan Heights, a region long established as a ceasefire zone. He mentioned the collapse of the longstanding agreement, indicating that Syrian troops had retreated, thus necessitating Israel’s military presence for defensive purposes. The Golan Heights continues to be the subject of international dispute, with most countries, apart from the United States, recognizing it as occupied Syrian territory.
As the situation unfolded, many Syrians returned from Lebanon to an uncertain future, celebrating the prospect of change. Sami Abdel-Latif, a refugee, expressed relief that life under Assad’s regime was over, stating that any situation would likely be an improvement. Malak Matar voiced optimism, saying there was finally a sense of freedom and potential for a well-organized state moving forward.
Conversely, sentiments in Egypt were mixed. Some citizens welcomed the removal of Assad, recalling the history of repression, while others feared what rebel factions might bring to the country’s future, especially considering the radical elements within these groups. Experts voiced concerns based on precedents in other war-torn nations, pointing out that the aftermath of tyrant ousters often leads to chaos.
In Brussels, the European Union’s top diplomat praised the end of Assad’s rule, highlighting how it signifies the waning influence of his backers in Moscow and Tehran. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called for the restoration of law and order, emphasizing the need for protections for all communities within Syria during the transition phase.
As military activity continued, airstrikes were reported near the Mezzeh military airport in Damascus. The origins of these strikes remained unclear as Israeli military officials maintained their typical silence on such actions, even as troop deployments increased along the Golan Heights border.
China’s government called for stability in Syria, reassuring safety measures for its citizens wanting to leave and asserting its commitment to assisting Chinese nationals still within the country.
In a notable decision, the Syrian armed opposition announced a curfew in Damascus, reflecting a tactical response to the volatile situation. Concurrently, Russia put its troops in Syria on high alert following the regime change while also asserting that Assad had left Syria after purported negotiations with rebel leaders.
Additionally, Turkey’s supported opposition forces seemed poised to capture the city of Manbij, which has traditionally been held by a U.S.-backed and Kurdish-led coalition. This development indicates further shifts in regional power dynamics as Turkey continues to position itself strategically in response to Syrian turmoil.
In summary, while the overthrow of Bashar Assad’s regime has generated a wave of celebrations and hopes for a new beginning among Syrians, it has also raised serious questions about the future governance of Syria, the potential for conflict among rebel factions, and the intricate web of international relations surrounding the crisis.